Picnic by William Inge

The play unfolds in a small Kansas town on Labor Day weekend, where the arrival of a charismatic young drifter stirs emotions and ignites passions among the local residents. The central story revolves around a young woman who dreams of escaping her mundane life and the drifter whose presence challenges the community's prevailing attitudes and leads to a dramatic confrontation. As the town prepares for its annual picnic, the characters' lives intertwine, revealing their desires, disappointments, and the pursuit of happiness in mid-20th-century America.

The 7912th greatest book of all time


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Total Points: 42

Since this book was first published in 1953, there is a penalty of 0%. The age adjusted score is 42.0.

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.