Adam Bede

George Eliot’s Adam Bede opens in the pastoral beauty of Hayslope, where the hardworking carpenter Adam Bede is deeply in love with the charming dairymaid Hetty Sorrel. But Hetty’s restless heart is drawn to the dashing squire’s grandson, Arthur Donnithorne, setting in motion a chain of secrets, temptations, and heartbreak. When tragedy strikes, the novel asks its enduring questions: what do we owe to one another, and how far can forgiveness reach?

Eliot’s first published novel, Adam Bede is both a sweeping drama and a precise study of human character, blending rural realism with moral gravity. Her vivid portrayal of village life brings to life a cast of unforgettable characters — from the principled Adam and the impetuous Hetty to the wise and compassionate Dinah Morris, whose quiet strength becomes a beacon in the storm.

Rich in psychological insight, Adam Bede explores the tension between duty and desire, justice and mercy. It is a novel about the moral struggles that shape us, the mistakes that haunt us, and the possibility of redemption that gives life its deepest meaning.

About the author

George Eliot (1819–1880), born Mary Ann Evans, was one of the most important novelists of the Victorian era. Known for her intellectual depth and psychological insight, her works, including The Mill on the Floss and Silas Marner, continue to resonate with readers for their profound examinations of human nature and society.