The Hand of Ethelberta

Thomas Hardy set out to write a comedy of manners, and the result is one of his most surprising books. Ethelberta Petherwin is a butler’s daughter who has climbed into polite society and, left a young widow, keeps her humble origins hidden while she earns a living as a professional teller of stories. With a large family quietly depending on her, she must weigh several suitors and decide how far ambition should carry her. Sharp about class, marriage, and the performances Victorian society demanded, the novel trades Hardy’s usual tragedy for wit and social satire. First published in 1876, it rewards readers curious about his lighter side. Free PDF and EPUB editions are available to download.