Introduction by Derwent May

The return of the native is widely recognized to be one of Thomas Hardy's most representative works. In this tale doomed love, passion, estrangement and melancholy, Hardy brilliantly explores the theme that is s familiar throughout his fiction: the diabolical role f chance in determining the course of action.

When Clym Yeobright(the 'native') returns to Egdon Heath from his studies in Paris, he decides to reject his chosen profession and instead marry the lovely but capricious Eustacia Vye. Clym's passion for Eustacia leads to his estrangement with his mother, Mrs. Yeobright, who disapproves of the alliance. Prior to Clym's return, Eustacia loved Damon Wild-eve; that is, until he proposed marriage to Clym's cousin, Thomasin Yeobright. T further complicate things, Diggory Venn, a reddleman, secretly admires Thomasin...