The First Man by Albert Camus

"The First Man" is a semi-autobiographical novel that explores the life of a man named Jacques Cormery, who grows up in poverty in Algeria, loses his father at a young age, and struggles with his relationship with his illiterate mother. The narrative delves into themes of identity, memory, and the human condition, as Jacques attempts to understand his past and his father's life, while simultaneously grappling with the harsh realities of colonial Algeria. Despite the challenges, Jacques remains determined to rise above his circumstances through education and personal growth.

The 2267th greatest book of all time


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Total Points: 232

Since this book was first published in 1994, there is a penalty of 32.0%. The age adjusted score is 157.76.

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.