The Shawl by Cynthia Ozick

"The Shawl" is a heartbreaking tale that follows the life of Rosa, a Holocaust survivor, who struggles with the traumatic memories of her past. The narrative is divided into two parts, the first set in a Nazi concentration camp where Rosa's baby daughter is brutally killed, and the second part set in Florida, decades later, where Rosa, now an old woman, still grapples with her painful past. The shawl in the story is a symbol of Rosa's lost daughter and her enduring grief.

The 3281st greatest book of all time


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Total Points: 147

Since this book was first published in 1989, there is a penalty of 24.0%. The age adjusted score is 111.72.

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.