Tess of the dUrbervilles by Thomas Hardy

Young Tess Durbeyfield attempts to restore her familys fortunes by claiming their connection with the aristocratic dUrbervilles. But Alec dUrberville is a rich wastrel who seduces her and makes her life miserable. When Tess meets Angel Clare, she is offered true love and happiness, but her past catches up with her and she faces an agonizing moral choice. Hardys indictment of societys double standards, and his depiction of Tess as a pure woman, caused controversy in his day and has held the imagination of readers ever since. Hardy thought it his finest novel, and Tess the most deeply felt character he ever created.