This list of books are ONLY the books that have been ranked on the lists that are aggregated on this site. This is not a comprehensive list of all books by this author.

1. 1. Tess of the d'Urbervilles

   A Pure Woman Faithfully Presented

   

   This is a tragic tale of a young woman named Tess who comes from a poor family in rural England. Tess is sent to work for a wealthy family, where she is seduced by a man who abandons her after she becomes pregnant. The baby dies, and Tess is ostracized by her community. She falls in love with a kind man, but when she confesses her past, he rejects her. Desperate and heartbroken, Tess murders her former seducer and is eventually captured and executed. The novel explores themes of fate, injustice, and the oppressive sexual morals of its time.

   The 117th Greatest Book of All Time

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2. 2. Jude the Obscure

   The Simpletons

   

   This novel tells the story of Jude Fawley, a working-class young man who dreams of becoming a scholar. The traditional class structure in 19th-century England prevents him from realizing his dream and his only solace is his love for his cousin, Sue Bridehead. Their scandalous relationship and the tragic events that follow form the heart of the narrative, which explores themes of love, class, religion, and morality.

   The 287th Greatest Book of All Time

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3. 3. The Mayor of Casterbridge

   The Life and Death of a Man of Character

   

   The Mayor of Casterbridge is a tragic novel set in the fictional town of Casterbridge, based on Dorchester in the English county of Dorset. The story follows the life of Michael Henchard, a skilled hay-trusser who, in a fit of drunken anger, sells his wife and daughter at a fair. When he sobers up, he is filled with regret and swears off alcohol for 21 years. He works hard and eventually becomes a successful businessman and the mayor of Casterbridge. However, his past returns to haunt him when his wife and daughter come back into his life, leading to a series of events that result in his downfall.

   The 358th Greatest Book of All Time

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4. 4. Far from the Madding Crowd

   

   Set in rural England, the novel follows the story of Bathsheba Everdene, a young and independent woman who inherits her uncle's farm. She becomes the object of affection for three very different men: Gabriel Oak, a sheep farmer; Sergeant Frank Troy, a reckless soldier; and William Boldwood, a prosperous and mature bachelor. The narrative explores love, honor, and betrayal against a backdrop of the changing social and economic landscape of 19th century England.

   The 674th Greatest Book of All Time

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5. 5. The Return of the Native

   

   This classic novel is set in the rustic rural backdrop of Egdon Heath and revolves around the life of Clym Yeobright, a successful diamond merchant who returns to his native land from Paris. His return sparks a chain of events involving love, ambition, betrayal, and tragedy. His love interest, Eustacia Vye, dreams of escaping the monotonous rural life, while his mother disapproves of their relationship. The novel explores the themes of love, fate, chance, and the clash between individuals' aspirations and societal expectations.

   The 739th Greatest Book of All Time

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6. 6. Poems Of Thomas Hardy

   A Selection of His Finest Verse

   

   The collection presents a poignant exploration of the human condition, nature, and the passage of time through the lens of one of the Victorian era's most profound literary figures. The poems delve into themes of love, loss, and the inexorable march of change, often set against the backdrop of the English countryside. The poet's mastery of language and form is evident as he weaves together the rustic with the philosophical, offering readers a reflective and deeply emotional journey through his verse. The work stands as a testament to the enduring power of poetry to capture the complexities of life and the depths of human emotion.

   The 752nd Greatest Book of All Time

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7. 7. The Woodlanders

   

   Set in the rural backdrop of Little Hintock, the novel delves into the intertwined lives of its inhabitants, where class and social ambition complicate personal relationships. At its heart is the story of Grace Melbury, who, despite her education and refined upbringing, finds herself torn between her marital commitment to the superficial Dr. Edred Fitzpiers and her lingering affection for her childhood love, the loyal and steadfast woodsman Giles Winterborne. The narrative explores themes of unrequited love, social mobility, and the inexorable forces of nature, as characters navigate the rigid Victorian social structure and the wild, untamed woodlands that both sustain and overshadow their lives.

   The 1867th Greatest Book of All Time

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8. 8. The Dynasts

   An Epic-Drama of the War with Napoleon, in Three Parts, Nineteen Acts, and One Hundred and Thirty Scenes

   

   The book is an epic historical drama that vividly portrays the Napoleonic Wars through a blend of verse and prose. It spans from 1805 to 1815, capturing the sweeping events and key figures of the era, including Napoleon, Wellington, and Nelson. The narrative is interwoven with commentary from supernatural beings who observe and influence human affairs, adding a philosophical dimension to the depiction of war and destiny. The work explores themes of power, fate, and the human condition, offering a panoramic view of a tumultuous period in European history.

   The 6834th Greatest Book of All Time

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9. 9. The Well Beloved

   A Sketch of a Temperament

   

   The novel explores the life of a sculptor who becomes obsessed with the pursuit of the ideal woman, manifesting through successive generations of women on the Isle of Slingers. The protagonist's fixation on this unattainable concept of the "well-beloved" leads him through a series of infatuations and relationships, each time believing he has found the perfect embodiment of his ideal, only to become disillusioned. Set against the backdrop of the changing social and physical landscape of the late 19th century, the story delves into themes of love, art, and the ephemeral nature of beauty, ultimately questioning the very notion of an enduring, perfect love.

   The 7215th Greatest Book of All Time

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10. 10. Wessex Tales

    Strange, Lively, and Commonplace

    

    The book is a collection of short stories set in the fictional region of Wessex, capturing the rural life and traditions of 19th-century England. Through a series of narratives, it explores themes such as love, fate, and social class, often highlighting the struggles and moral dilemmas faced by ordinary people. The stories are rich in Hardy's characteristic realism and attention to detail, offering a poignant reflection on the human condition and the inevitable changes brought by time and progress.

    The 9375th Greatest Book of All Time

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11. 11. The Short Stories Of Thomas Hardy

    

    This collection showcases the short stories of a renowned 19th-century English novelist and poet, renowned for his vivid depiction of rural life and his profound understanding of human nature. The stories explore themes of love, tragedy, fate, and the struggle against social constraints, offering a profound look into the human condition. Each story is a masterful blend of rich characterization, evocative landscapes, and insightful social commentary, reflecting the author's deep connection to the landscapes and people of rural England.

    The 14498th Greatest Book of All Time

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12. 12. The Trumpet Major

    A Tale

    

    Set against the backdrop of the Napoleonic Wars, the story unfolds in a rural English village where the lives of three men intertwine as they vie for the affection of Anne Garland. The narrative explores themes of love, loyalty, and the impact of war on personal lives, as Anne navigates her feelings for the earnest trumpet major, John Loveday, his charming but unreliable brother, Bob, and the wealthy but unscrupulous Festus Derriman. Through a blend of romance and historical context, the tale captures the complexities of human emotions and the societal changes brought about by the looming threat of invasion.

    The 17086th Greatest Book of All Time

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