Daniel Deronda

Daniel Deronda is a novel by George Eliot, first published in 1876.

Warning: wikipedia contains spoilers

Synopsis

Daniel Deronda is believed to be the illegitimate son of an English nobleman who has brought him up, but in fact is of Jewish descent. He is attracted to the beautiful but headstrong Gwendolen Harleth. In order to save herself from having to work, Gwendolen marries the wealthy but depraved Henleigh Grandcourt, despite having promised his mistress she would not do so. Only after her marriage does she realise what life with Grandcourt will be like, and turns to Deronda for sympathy. Deronda, in the meantime, has met a poor singer, Mirah, who has come to England to seek her family, and through her he is introduced into the Jewish community. When Henleigh Grandcourt is drowned during a trip abroad, Gwendolen hopes for a future with Deronda, but he has already decided to marry Mirah, and they leave for Palestine.