Mayor of Casterbridge

At a country fair near Casterbridge Wessex a young hay-trusser named Michael Henchard overindulges in rum-laced furmity and auctions off his wife Susan and baby daughter Elizabeth-Jane to a sailor Newson for five guineas. Once sober the next day he realises that his wife and daughter are gone he swears not to touch liquor again for as many years (21) as he has lived so far. Eighteen years later Henchard now a successful grain merchant is the eponymous Mayor of Casterbridge known for his staunch sobriety. All these years Henchard has kept the details surrounding the “loss” of his wife a secret. While travelling to the island of Jersey on business Henchard falls in love with a young woman named Lucetta. Just as Henchard is about to send for Lucetta Susan unexpectedly appears in Casterbridge with her daughter....