Every summer I read a classic that I have never read before, and since I’m planning to visit Southwest England soon, I felt I should read a novel that takes place there.  Descriptively written, with romance and suspense,  Hardy portrays Tess as a beautiful, young woman born in poverty with a title that ends up doing her more harm than good.  Tess, at the start of her tale, is moral, hard-working and loving, and through no fault of her own, she is forced to face hardship and tragedy.   Hardy demonstrates what can happen to an innocent, trusting girl in a man’s world.

If you want a quick, light read, Tess of the d’Urbervilles is not it.  However, if you’re looking for a beautifully written novel that captures life in rural England about 150 years ago, give Tess a try.