The Mayor of Casterbridge

An English novel from 1886, telling the tragic story of Michael Henchard, a man who, in a drunken rage, sells his wife and daughter to a passing sailor. Awakening and deeply regretting his actions, he swears off alcohol and builds a successful career, eventually becoming the influential mayor of Casterbridge. However, the past relentlessly catches up with him: the return of his family, rivalry with a younger and more capable man, secrets, and bitter mistakes lead to his downfall. This novel explores themes of fate, redemption, pride, and the inescapable influence of the past on the future, remaining one of Hardy’s most profound tragedies.