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Tess of the D'Urbervilles

Part of Enriched Classics
By Thomas Hardy
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About The Book

A young woman challenges the conventions of her time in this classic novel about nineteenth century English society.

At the time of its publication in 1891, Tess of the d'Urbervilles was scorned by readers for what was then considered its indictment of Victorian society and its unconventional heroine, Tess Durbeyfield. Now considered one of the major classic novels of nineteenth century literature, Tess is the compelling story of an extraordinary woman and her tragic destiny—a brilliant, transcendent work of compassion and courage by one of the finest English novelists, Thomas Hardy.

This edition includes:
-A concise introduction that gives readers important background information
-A chronology of the author's life and work
-A timeline of significant events that provides the book's historical context
-An outline of key themes and plot points to help readers form their own interpretations
-Detailed explanatory notes
-Critical analysis, including contemporary and modern perspectives on the work
-Discussion questions to promote lively classroom and book group interaction
-A list of recommended related books and films to broaden the reader's experience

Enriched Classics offer readers affordable editions of great works of literature enhanced by helpful notes and insightful commentary. The scholarship provided in Enriched Classics enables readers to appreciate, understand, and enjoy the world's finest books to their full potential.

About The Author
Thomas Hardy

Thomas Hardy was born at Upper Bockhampton near Dorchester in Dorset. His father was a stonemason. His mother was ambitious and well-read and supplemented his formal education. Hardy trained as an architect in Dorchester before moving to London to take up employment. He won prizes from the Royal Institute of British Architects and the Architectural Association.

His first novel, The Poor Man and the Lady, was finished in 1867 but failed to find a publisher. Desperate Remedies (1871) and Under the Greenwood Tree (1872) were published anonymously. In 1873, A Pair of Blue Eyes was published under his own name. The story draws on Hardy's courtship of Emma Gifford whom he married in 1874. His next novel, Far from the Madding Crowd (1874) was successful enough for Hardy to be able to give up his architectural work and take up a full-time literary career.

Over the next 25 years, Hardy produced 10 more novels. The Hardys moved from London to Yeovil, and then to Sturminster Newton, where he wrote The Return of the Native (1878). In 1885, they returned to Dorchester, moving into Max Gate, a house which Hardy had designed himself.

In 1898, Hardy published his first volume of poetry, Wessex Poems, a collection of poems written over the previous 30 years. Hardy continued to publish collections until his death in 1928.

Product Details
  • Publisher: Simon & Schuster (May 23, 2006)
  • Length: 560 pages
  • ISBN13: 9781416592167

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Tess of the D'Urbervilles

Part of Enriched Classics
By Thomas Hardy
LIST PRICE £4.99
PRICE MAY VARY BY RETAILER

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