Vanishing Point by David Markson

"Vanishing Point" is a novel that defies traditional narrative structure, presenting a stream-of-consciousness collage of anecdotes, quotes, biographical sketches, and philosophical musings. The book, devoid of a conventional plot, follows an unnamed protagonist, referred to as "Author," who is compiling a manuscript of historical and literary trivia, personal reflections, and a medley of obscure facts. As the protagonist grapples with themes of mortality, art, and the act of writing itself, the novel becomes a meditation on the human condition and the elusive nature of meaning in a seemingly disconnected world. The fragmented style challenges readers to piece together coherence from the disparate elements, mirroring the protagonist's own quest for understanding and significance.

The 8615th greatest book of all time


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Total Points: 66

Since this book was first published in 2004, there is a penalty of 48.0%. The age adjusted score is 34.32.

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.