The Ballad of Peckham Rye by Muriel Spark

This novel tells the story of a mysterious man who arrives in the London suburb of Peckham Rye and causes chaos in the community. He convinces a textile factory to hire him as a "human factor" consultant, where he begins to instigate rebellions among the workers, disrupts marriages, and causes general havoc. His actions lead to a death, a disappearance, and a wedding cancellation, leaving the community in disarray. The man's true identity and intentions remain a mystery, as the story explores themes of good and evil, reality and illusion, and the power of influence.

The 5922nd greatest book of all time


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Total Points: 63

Since this book was first published in 1960, there is a penalty of 0%. The age adjusted score is 63.0.

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.