Thomas Hardy 
Jude the Obscure 

Thomas Hardy’s last novel, Jude the Obscure, has been enjoyed by readers around the world for over a century. Somewhat autobiographical, the story follows Jude Fawley, a stonemason in the fictional county of Wessex, who moves to Christminster to follow his dream of becoming a scholar. He becomes embroiled in a social scandal which leads to murder and suicide.