The Return of the Native is Thomas Hardy's novel set on Egdon Heath in Wessex. It follows Clym Yeobright's return from Paris and the lives and longings of those around him, including Eustacia Vye. A study of place, desire, and fate, it is valued for its atmospheric prose and tragic vision.
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Cover of the original edition (Project Gutenberg, public domain).
Text source: gutenberg.org · The work is in the public domain.
Opening of the book
The Return of the
Native
by Thomas Hardy
Contents
PREFACE
BOOK FIRST—THE THREE WOMEN
I. A Face on Which Time Makes but Little Impression
II. Humanity Appears upon the Scene, Hand in Hand with Trouble
III. The Custom of the Country
IV. The Halt on the Turnpike Road
V. Perplexity among Honest People
VI. The Figure against the Sky
VII. Queen of Night
VIII. Those Who Are Found Where There Is Said to Be Nobody
IX. Love Leads a Shrewd Man into Strategy
X. A Desperate Attempt at Persuasion
XI. The Dishonesty of an Honest Woman BOOK SECOND—THE ARRIVAL I. Tidings of the Comer II. The People at Blooms-End Make Ready III. How a Little Sound Produced a Great Dream IV. Eustacia Is Led on to an Adventure V. Through the Moonlight VI. The Two Stand Face to Face VII. A Coalition between Beauty and Oddness VIII. Firmness Is Discovered in a Gentle Heart BOOK THIRD—THE FASCINATION I. “My Mind to Me a Kingdom Is” II. The New Course Causes Disappointment III. The First Act in a Timeworn Drama IV. An Hour of Bliss and Many Hours of Sadness V. Sharp Words Are Spoken, and a Crisis Ensues VI. Yeobright Goes, and the Breach Is Complete VII. The Morning and the Evening of a Day VIII. A New Force Disturbs the Current BOOK FOURTH—THE CLOSED DOOR I. The Rencounter by the Pool II. He Is Set upon by Adversities but He Sings a Song III. She Goes Out to Battle against Depression IV. Rough Coercion Is Employed V. The Journey across the Heath VI. A Conjuncture, and Its Result upon the Pedestrian VII. The Tragic Meeting of Two Old Friends VIII. Eustacia Hears of Good Fortune, and Beholds Evil
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