The Three-Arched Bridge by Ismail Kadare

In this novel, set in the 14th century, a small Albanian village is disrupted by the construction of a stone bridge across a river. The bridge is said to be cursed, with local legend claiming that the first to cross it will be claimed by the devil. The narrator, a local monk, chronicles the bridge's construction and the subsequent societal changes, while also grappling with the encroaching Ottoman Empire. The narrative explores themes of progress, sacrifice, and the clash between old and new.

The 4285th greatest book of all time

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Total Points: 102

Since this book was first published in 1978, there is a penalty of 6.4%. The age adjusted score is 95.47.

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.