Thomas Hardy tells the tragic and poignant story of Tess of the D’Urbervilles, a beautiful young woman living with her impoverished family in Wessex, the southwestern English county immortalized by Hardy. After her family learns of their connection to the wealthy d’Urbervilles, they send Tess to claim a portion of their supposed fortune. However, her encounter with the dissolute Alec d’Urberville leads to her being seduced and bearing a child, Sorrow, who tragically dies in infancy.

As the narrative unfolds, Tess meets a very different man, Angel Clare, who appears to offer her love and salvation. Yet, this hope is shattered when Angel cruelly rejects her on their wedding night upon discovering her past. Left emotionally devastated, financially ruined, and victimized by the rigid social morality of Victorian England, Tess finds herself trapped in a vise of passion and societal judgment, ultimately leading her to commit a desperate and tragic act to escape her suffering.

Tess of the D’Urbervilles is more than just a story; it is a powerful exploration of societal hypocrisy, the plight of women, and the inexorable nature of fate. Like the greatest characters in literature, Tess transcends the pages of the book, becoming a permanent citizen of the imagination. As Irving Howe noted, “Tess lives beyond the final pages of the book.” Thomas Hardy masterfully crafts a narrative that resonates with readers even today, making Tess of the D’Urbervilles a timeless classic.

This digital edition of Tess of the D’Urbervilles is a faithful reproduction of Hardy’s original text, enriched with beautifully illustrated historical paintings that capture the essence of the novel. Thomas Hardy’s work remains a poignant and essential read, earning him the title of the “greatest tragic writer among English novelists” as declared by Virginia Woolf. The singular beauty and charm of this novel continue to captivate readers worldwide.