Jude the Obscure - (Penguin Clothbound Classics) by Thomas Hardy (Hardcover)

This is a powerful and thought-provoking novel that explores themes of love, relationships, and social class.

The story follows Jude Fawley, a young working-class man from a rural town who dreams of becoming an Oxford student.

Despite his intelligence and ambition, Jude is held back by poverty and the societal expectations placed upon him.

As he navigates his fraught relationships with two women, Sue Bridehead and Arabella Donn, Jude grapples with the limitations placed on him by his class and the societal norms of his time. The novel is a masterful exploration of sexual and social relationships, and Hardy's critique of marriage and society is both prophetic and timeless.

Through Jude's struggles, we are reminded of the importance of empathy, compassion, and the pursuit of one's dreams, no matter the obstacles.

This is a must-read for anyone who has ever felt held back by societal expectations or who has struggled to find their place in the world.