The Return of the Native

The Return of the Native (1878) is one of Hardy's most popular novels. Set on the brooding Egdon heath it traces the lives and loves of five people. Clym Yeobright, the native, returns to Egdon from a successful career in Paris to pursue a dream of educating the poorer local people. Eustacia Vye, a young woman unhappy with life on Egdon wishes for love and life in a city. Damon Wildeve, an innkeeper and ex-engineer is a young womaniser. Thomasin Yeobright, a cousin of Clym, is a simple country girl. And finally the mysterious but faithful reddleman Diggory Venn. When the lives of these people become intertwined we see all sides of human nature, good and bad.