"The Return of the Native" is a novel by Thomas Hardy published in 1878. It is set in the fictional village of Egdon Heath in Dorset, England, and follows the story of Clym Yeobright, who returns home after living in Paris. He struggles with his identity and the expectations of his family and community. The novel explores themes of love, fate, and the conflict between individual desires and societal norms. Key characters include Eustacia Vye, a passionate woman longing for a more exciting life, and Diggory Venn, a reddleman who harbors unrequited love for Eustacia.