The Mayor of Casterbridge by Thomas Hardy [Paperback]

The Mayor of Casterbridge by Thomas Hardy is a dramatic tale of Michael Henchard, a flawed man who rises to prominence after a shameful act—selling his wife and daughter at a county fair for five guineas. Years later, as a prosperous figure in the community, his past resurfaces when his wife and daughter return. The story explores themes of pride, guilt, self-destruction, and redemption as Henchard struggles to reconcile his past with his present. Set in a vivid rural landscape, the novel poses profound questions about morality, character, and the price of success.