Paperbacks: Tess of the D'Urbervilles, by Thomas Hardy

An introduction to this edition of Hardy's masterpiece by David Snodin, the producer of the new BBC adaptation, both attests to the novel's filmic qualities and hopes, nobly, that the TV series will encourage more readers to pick up the book.

If they do they will find Alec's twirly moustache – sadly missing from the telly – and likely fall in love with Tess as did author and producer before.