Esther Waters

Set against the backdrop of Victorian society, the story follows Esther, a young kitchen maid who faces the harsh realities of life after being seduced and abandoned by her lover. As a single mother, she navigates the challenges of raising her child alone in a world that stigmatizes her situation. George Moore's naturalistic approach highlights themes of societal judgment, motherhood, and resilience, making this novel a poignant exploration of the struggles faced by women in a repressive era.