Tess Of The D'Urbervilles

Thomas Hardy's novel explores the oppression and exploitation of women in Victorian society.

His novel is set within the context of the industrial revolution and rural Victorian poverty

Hardy was middle class - due to his high level of education, which his parents worked hard to provide - Yet he grew up around the rural poor in Dorset. He became really sympathetic to the struggles of the rural poor and this really shines through within the novel itself.

Tess is a tragic hero. Her pride stops her from going to her husband's father for help and it leads her down a road she cannot return from. 

The book has a major twist in the last phase and it all works well together it keeps you interested due to the narrative that is used here in that we don't really know for sure what choices Tess makes until "its too late"

It's a feminist rage book despite being written by a man. NONE of the men leave this book as good people but as ignorant wimps of whom all the blame falls.

The book is heartbreaking, anger inducing but so so worth it.