Esther Waters by George Moore

Esther Waters by George Moore strives for realism as it portrays the choices and struggles of Esther, a house servant, as she seeks to provide for her illegitimate son. Esther herself is a strong character but by no means flawless. Moore’s portrayal of the difficulties and injustices faced by women and their children in this situation stirred the conscience of England at the time it was published and it remains a deeply moving book.