"Daniel Deronda" by George Eliot is a sweeping and compelling novel that weaves together the stories of two protagonists whose paths cross in unexpected ways, leading them on a journey of self-discovery, love, and moral awakening. The novel opens with Gwendolen Harleth, a beautiful and headstrong young woman, whose charm and charisma mask her inner complexities. Fueled by a desire for wealth and social standing, Gwendolen enters into a loveless marriage with the wealthy but cold Henleigh Mallinger Grandcourt. As she grapples with the consequences of her choices, she finds herself entangled in a web of emotional turmoil, and her moral compass is put to the test.