Au Bonheur Des Dames by Émile Zola

The novel centers on the transformation of the Parisian retail world in the late 19th century, following the story of a young woman from the provinces who comes to Paris and finds work at a grand department store. The store, with its innovative marketing and sales tactics, represents the rise of capitalism and the modern consumer culture, dramatically altering the fabric of society. As the protagonist navigates the challenges of her new life, she witnesses the impact of the retail revolution on small businesses and the lives of the store's employees, all while exploring themes of ambition, love, and the relentless pursuit of progress.

The 5227th greatest book of all time

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Total Points: 78

Since this book was first published in 1883, there is a penalty of 0%. The age adjusted score is 78.0.

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.