The Buddha of Suburbia by Hanif Kureishi

"The Buddha of Suburbia" is a coming-of-age novel that explores themes of race, class, and sexuality in 1970s London. The story follows the life of the protagonist, a young man of mixed English and Pakistani heritage, as he navigates his identity in the backdrop of suburban London. His father, a self-proclaimed guru, adds a layer of complexity to his journey. The novel is a darkly humorous critique of British society and its attitudes towards race and class.

The 1134th greatest book of all time


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Total Points: 444

Since this book was first published in 1990, there is a penalty of 25.6%. The age adjusted score is 330.34.

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.