Thomas Hardy 
A Pair Of Blue Eyes 

A Pair of Blue Eyes is a novel by Thomas Hardy printed in 1873. This is the story of Elfride Swancourt, a blue-eyed heroine. Elfride is divided between two lovers, the young, kind-hearted, socially inferior Stephen Smith, an architect; and much older and honest Londoner, Henry Knight, a literary man and Stephen's mentor. She also has to assure the belief of her father, the Rector of Endelstow. This is a moving and touching story about love, social protocols, limitations women faced in the 19th century, honour, sacrifice and loss. This book is set in Hardy's fictional Wessex of southwestern England. Characters are very well illustrated and developed. A Pair of Blue Eyes beyond its fun romance is Hardy's brand commentary on a rebellious shift in English life and culture. It mainly noteworthy as exclusive work of remarkable boldness and originality. A fascinating feature of this book is that it's nearly based on Hardy's relationship with his first wife, Emma Gifford.