Tess of the d'Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy
This story opens by introducing Tess Durbeyfield, who is living on a farm in rural England, and in one of her first scenes she dances with a complete stranger.
So far, this sounds like a book that is about a gentle, tranquil rural ideal - however, as the plot develops, it becomes clear that this is one of Thomas Hardy's less pleasant novels.
Early on in the book, the family's horse collapses and dies, which means that making money will be even harder as they have no means of pulling a cart. However, Tess' family learn about the existence of Alec d'Urberville, who is apparently related to them, and could therefore be a benefactor to them.
When Tess goes to see d'Urberville, he agrees on the condition that Tess works for him. Things go smoothly until it becomes clear that Alec is in love with Tess. It all culminates in one of the most shocking events of the story. While the book doesn't exactly spell it out, with the way in which the event is depicted, my understanding was that Alec rapes Tess.
This sets off the story's main point; Tess is now deflowered, and since she's no longer a virgin, any man who finds out this will not want to be married to her. Alec, on the other hand, still manages to keep his reputation. Thomas Hardy wrote the novel to draw attention to the whole social unfairness that in a situation like this, only the woman ended up being persecuted.
The story then tells of Tess moving away from home and finding work, where a man called Angel Clare is smitten with her, and constantly asks her to marry him. She refuses at first, unable to tell him why. When she finally consents and they get engaged, her mother tells her not to reveal what happened.
It is inevitable that the truth will come out and that there will be consequences, and this book is one where it does not feel like there can possibly be a happy ending. I found this book very easy to read and engaging, and the characters were mostly easy to care about. Towards the end of the book, the plot kept going in directions that I did not expect at all, throwing in all sorts of twists. The book's final segment is incredibly dark and shocking, but I found it to be a very satisfying read.
I am hoping to read Jude the Obscure (which I understand is even more brutal) too sometime.