A Laodicean : A Story of To-day by Thomas Hardy

The story revolves around the character of Paula Power, an independent and wealthy young woman who inherits a grand mansion known as "The Old House" in the fictional town of Napwater. Paula intends to restore the mansion and its grounds to their former glory, and she enlists the help of an architect named George Somerset to oversee the project. As Paula and George work together on the restoration project, their relationship becomes more complex, and the novel explores themes of love, ambition, class, and societal expectations. The title of the novel is a reference to the biblical term "Laodicean," which signifies a lukewarm or indifferent attitude, reflecting Paula's character and the choices she faces. "A Laodicean" is distinct from many of Thomas Hardy's other novels, as it is considered one of his less tragic and more romantically inclined works. It reflects the changing times of the late Victorian era and the tension between traditional values and modern aspirations. While it may not be as well-known as some of Hardy's other novels like "Tess of the d'Urbervilles" or "Far from the Madding Crowd," it is still appreciated for its exploration of human relationships and the social dynamics of the period