Tess of the d'Urbervilles
by Thomas Hardy
- First published
- 1891
- Reading level
- Plain English
- Price
- Free
About the book
"Tess of the d'Urbervilles: A Pure Woman" by Thomas Hardy is a novel published in 1891. When a poor country girl discovers her family descends from an ancient noble line, she's sent to claim kinship with wealthy relatives. There she encounters Alec d'Urberville, whose attentions lead to tragedy. Later, working as a milkmaid, Tess finds love with Angel Clare, but her past haunts their future. Set in rural England, this story challenged Victorian morality and explores innocence, guilt, and the harsh judgments society places on women.
- Didactic fiction
- Poor families
- Children of the rich
- Triangles (Interpersonal relations)
- Pastoral fiction
- Children of clergy
Updated September 2026. Public domain in the USA. Text and summary from Project Gutenberg eBook #110. Tess of the d'Urbervilles on Wikipedia.
