The Well-Beloved

Now this one is just plain strange.  The last Hardy novel to be published, as it happens.  Full of strong ideas, but never quite one of his "greats". 

Jocelyn Pierston is the sculptor son of an Isle of Portland stone quarry owner.  He falls in love with a succession of women, in each of whom he sees an avatar of the Well-Beloved; a spiritual rather than a physical concept of womanly perfection.  Three women - mother, daughter, grand-daughter - each possess the Well-Beloved in turn, but from young man to old, he never really acquires her.  Not surprising really.  A study in arrested development and a fear of emotional commitment?  Well, you decide.