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Sep 28, 2012vwruleschick rated this title 2 out of 5 stars
This story takes places in the late 1800s in made-up area of England, where you meet Tess who resembles natural beauty. She is the eldest in her family, with roots on her father to royalty that does not exist any longer. Her family works on the farms and due to the time where the Long Depression occurs whereby she accidently kills the family's horse. She is then asked by her mother to seek out this long lost cousin, Alec to assist her/her family in their need as the horse was income to their family. A major faux-pas occurs between them and she relocates back home in Marlott. Later, she goes outside her home to work and meets up with Angel. Over time, she falls for him, but is resistant to tell him her past. He woos her and she finally accepts his marriage proposal, only to have him travel abroad and despise Tess for her past. While her husband is away, many things occur and he finally shows up again only to see that she is with her previous lover. Will he be able to forgive her? What will Tess do? How is this all possible? Overall, I found the story long-winded. Didn;t like Tess, Alec or Angel or any other characters. But Hardy puts forth a double standard in their culture/social heirarchy as it is still today. It was an OK read.