The novel explores the life of a sculptor who becomes obsessed with the pursuit of the ideal woman, manifesting through successive generations of women on the Isle of Slingers. The protagonist's fixation on this unattainable concept of the "well-beloved" leads him through a series of infatuations and relationships, each time believing he has found the perfect embodiment of his ideal, only to become disillusioned. Set against the backdrop of the changing social and physical landscape of the late 19th century, the story delves into themes of love, art, and the ephemeral nature of beauty, ultimately questioning the very notion of an enduring, perfect love.

The 6566th greatest book of all time