Less Than Zero by Bret Easton Ellis

The novel is a bleak portrayal of the nihilistic and morally vacant lives of affluent teenagers in 1980s Los Angeles. The story follows a young college freshman returning home for winter break, only to find himself drifting through a world of casual drug use, vapid sex, and senseless violence. Disconnected from his emotions and the people around him, the protagonist observes the empty existence of his friends and the loss of humanity in a culture obsessed with materialism and hedonism, ultimately questioning the very nature of his own reality and purpose.

The 2071st greatest book of all time

Ranking Details:

Our ranking system awards points to books based on their appearance and position on curated lists. Here's how it works:

Unranked Lists: For lists without specific rankings, each book receives points equivalent to the list's weight. This approach recognizes the book's inclusion on prestigious lists.

Ranked Lists: Books on ranked lists receive points in two ways:

  • Base Points: Initially, every book is awarded points equal to the list's weight, acknowledging its significance.
  • Bonus Points: Additionally, books earn bonus points based on their ranking. The total bonus pool, equal to 100% of the list's weight, is distributed among the books, with higher-ranked books receiving more points.

Exponential Distribution: The distribution of bonus points follows an exponential model. This means the top-ranked book (#1) receives significantly more bonus points than those further down the list (e.g., #100). Our algorithm ensures that higher placements are rewarded more generously, reflecting the achievement of a top rank on any given list.

This scoring system ensures that each book's ranking reflects both its presence on multiple lists and its positions within those lists, providing a comprehensive measure of its acclaim and popularity.

Total Points: 220

Since this book was first published in 1985, there is a penalty of 17.6%. The age adjusted score is 181.28.

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.