Clarissa Harlowe, or the History of a Young Lady - Volume 1

Published in 1748, 'Clarissa Harlowe, or the History of a Young Lady' by Samuel Richardson is a seminal epistolary novel that explores themes of virtue, autonomy, and social class. The story follows Clarissa, a beautiful and virtuous young woman from a newly wealthy family, who resists her family's pressure to marry a wealthy suitor, Roger Solmes. Instead, she is deceived by the charming Lovelace, leading to a tragic series of events as she seeks to maintain her independence and moral integrity. This work is notable for its deep psychological insight and its influence on the development of the novel as a literary form.