The Book Of Ruth by Jane Hamilton

The novel is a poignant tale of Ruth, a young woman from a small town in Illinois, who endures a life marked by hardship and disappointment. Raised by a neglectful mother and overshadowed by her brother's tragic death, Ruth seeks solace in her marriage to a man who turns out to be abusive. Despite the bleakness of her circumstances, she finds strength in her love for reading and the bond with her kind-hearted mother-in-law. The narrative, rich with themes of resilience, the complexity of family relationships, and the search for self-worth, unfolds through Ruth's perspective as she navigates the challenges of her life, ultimately striving for a sense of hope and redemption.

The 4975th greatest book of all time

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Total Points: 108

Since this book was first published in 1988, there is a penalty of 22.4%. The age adjusted score is 83.81.

This is to prevent newer books from reaching super high on the ranked list of the greatest books of all time. The greatest books should also stand the test of time.