The Woodlanders

The Woodlanders is a novel written by Thomas Hardy, published in 1887. The story is set in a fictional rural community in the English countryside and follows the life of Grace Melbury, the daughter of a timber merchant who returns to her hometown after receiving a formal education in the city. Grace is courted by three men, including her childhood friend Giles Winterborne, the wealthy and sophisticated Doctor Fitzpiers, and the socially superior but morally questionable Mr. Edred Fitzpiers. The novel explores themes of love, class, and social mobility, as Grace navigates the complexities of her relationships and the expectations of her society. The Woodlanders is known for its vivid descriptions of the natural world and the rural way of life, as well as its commentary on the changing social and economic landscape of rural England in the late 19th century. It is considered one of Hardy's finest works and a classic of English literature.Winterborne sped on his way to Sherton Abbas without elation and without discomposure. Had he regarded his inner self spectacularly, as lovers are now daily more wont to do, he might have felt pride in the discernment of a somewhat rare power in him--that of keeping not only judgment but emotion suspended in difficult cases. But he noted it not.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.