Tess Durbeyfield confesses her longing to be close to a loved one and declares that she would prefer to remain in their company, even in a humble role, if marriage were not possible. Her words reflect her intense longing and the need for closeness, regardless of circumstances. Due to her family's financial difficulties, Tess tries to claim her kinship with the wealthy D'Urbervilles, hoping for a share of their fortune. However, her encounter with her "cousin" Alec leads to her downfall. Angel Clare, on the other hand, seems to offer her love and salvation, but Tess faces the difficult choice of revealing her past or remaining silent in the hope of a peaceful future. The book, which sensitively portrays Tess as a victim of injustice and offers a powerful critique of social conventions, is considered one of Hardy's most moving and poetic works. Published by The Penguin English Library, this book is part of a collection of 100 of the best fiction books in English, ranging from the eighteenth century to the beginning of the First World War.