The Recognitions by William Gaddis
The novel is a complex and lengthy examination of authenticity and forgery. It tells the story of a young man who becomes a master forger of Old Masters paintings, while exploring themes of identity, religion, and art. As the plot unfolds, the protagonist grapples with his own authenticity in a world obsessed with appearances and material success. The narrative is interspersed with philosophical and religious discussions, making it a challenging yet thought-provoking read.
The 671st greatest book of all time
Ranking Details:
Our ranking system awards points to books based on their appearance and position on curated lists. Here's how it works:
Unranked Lists: For lists without specific rankings, each book receives points equivalent to the list's weight. This approach recognizes the book's inclusion on prestigious lists.
Ranked Lists: Books on ranked lists receive points in two ways:
- Base Points: Initially, every book is awarded points equal to the list's weight, acknowledging its significance.
- Bonus Points: Additionally, books earn bonus points based on their ranking. The total bonus pool, equal to 100% of the list's weight, is distributed among the books, with higher-ranked books receiving more points.
Exponential Distribution: The distribution of bonus points follows an exponential model. This means the top-ranked book (#1) receives significantly more bonus points than those further down the list (e.g., #100). Our algorithm ensures that higher placements are rewarded more generously, reflecting the achievement of a top rank on any given list.
This scoring system ensures that each book's ranking reflects both its presence on multiple lists and its positions within those lists, providing a comprehensive measure of its acclaim and popularity.
Total Points: 533
Since this book was first published in 1955, there is a penalty of 0%. The age adjusted score is 533.0.
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.
- score: 144 -- 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die (Weight: 144)
- score: 96 -- 1000 Novels Everyone Must Read (Weight: 96)
- score: 78 -- TIME Magazine All Time 100 Novels (Weight: 78)
- score: 71 -- 20th Century's Greatest Hits: 100 English-Language Books of Fiction (Weight: 69)
- score: 66 -- The Modern Library: The Two Hundred Best Novels in English Since 1950 (Weight: 66)
- score: 45 -- Harold Bloom's The Western Canon (Weight: 45)
- score: 33 -- 1,000 Books to Read Before You Die: A Life-Changing List (Weight: 33)