The Woodlanders is a novel by Thomas Hardy, first published in 1887. It is set in the fictional village of Little Hintock, located in rural England. The novel follows the story of Grace Melbury, a young woman who is the daughter of a local woodlander, or woodcutter. She is courted by two men, the wealthy doctor Fitzpiers and the local woodlander, Giles Winterborne. Fitzpiers is a newcomer to the village, and his presence causes a stir among the locals. Grace is torn between the two men, and her decision is complicated by the fact that Fitzpiers is already married. Eventually, she chooses Giles, and the two are married. However, Fitzpiers' wife soon returns, and the situation becomes even more complicated. The novel follows the lives of the characters as they struggle to make sense of their lives and relationships. It is a story of love, loss, and the power of nature.
By Thomas Hardy · First published 1887 · Genre: Realistic Fiction, Romance, Drama · 48 chapters