The Woodlanders

Set amid the forests of Little Hintock, a book of crossed loves and, needless to say, tragic deaths.

Marty South is in love with Giles Winterbourne.  Giles is in love with Grace Melbury.  But Grace's father, having previously wanted her to marry Giles, now encourages her to marry Edred Fitzpiers.  Edred's the dashing young doctor from a traditional family (now a bit come down in the world, D'Urberville-like).  But he's already been in the hay with Suke Damson, who to be frank is a bit of a goer.  And once he's married Grace, he's busy becoming acquainted with the local rich widow, Felice Charmond.   

Edred runs off to the Continent with Felice, Felice dies.  Edred comes back, to wonder what Grace has been up to in the hut in the woods with Giles.  There's no point in asking Giles, as needless to say he's dead.

It all ends up with a touching scene by Gile's graveside. 

But forget the plot - it's the stuff Hardy's good at that makes the story.  The last set of decent locals, drinking cider, stripping trees, strange superstitious activities late at night, fermenting cider, chopping down trees, cider apple trees in flower, apple trees with apples, woods in the dead of winter, mantraps, pressing cider.  That's what makes this book one of his best -  I'd put it up with Return of the Native, and a mile beyond Jude or Tess. 

Giles himself is one of Hardy's best suffering heroes.  Slings and arrows of outrageous fortune barely cover it; through betrayal, homelessness, fever and social embarrassment, Giles just goes on regardless.  Sad that he comes to a sticky end, but then that's Hardy for you.