Thomas Hardy's A Laodicean: "Fear is the mother of foresight."

Set against the backdrop of Victorian society, the novel explores the internal conflict of Paula Power, who is torn between tradition and modernity as she navigates her feelings for two suitors: the old-world Captain de Stancy and the progressive architect George Somerset. Hardy, influenced by personal health struggles during its writing, delves into themes of social reform and the constraints of class. His vivid portrayal of rural Wessex and character-driven narrative captures the transformative impact of industrialization on individual lives, making for a compelling read.