The Hand of Ethelberta

The Hand of Ethelberta is a novel by English author Thomas Hardy, first published in 1876. The novel is a satirical comedy of manners that follows the life of the eponymous Ethelberta, a clever and ambitious young woman who comes from a poor background but rises to become a highly sought-after society hostess. Ethelberta uses her wit and beauty to navigate the complicated social world of Victorian England, managing to maintain several romantic relationships and keeping her humble origins a secret.

Throughout the novel, Hardy uses Ethelberta's story to comment on Victorian society, its attitudes towards women, and the hypocrisy and snobbery of the upper classes.

The Hand of Ethelberta is considered one of Hardy's lesser-known works, but it is nonetheless an interesting and entertaining portrayal of Victorian society and a witty commentary on the social and cultural norms of the time.