The Marble Faun by Nathaniel Hawthorne

The novel is a dark romantic tale set in 19th-century Italy that follows the intertwined lives of four characters: the innocent Miriam, the contemplative Kenyon, the charming Donatello, and the mysterious Hilda. As they explore art, love, and the nature of sin, a tragic event involving a mysterious crime at a Roman villa leads to a profound transformation in each of their lives. The story delves into themes of guilt, redemption, and the moral complexities of the human soul, all against the backdrop of Italy's rich cultural heritage and the enigmatic presence of the titular marble faun, a statue that symbolizes the intersection of the divine and the mortal.

The 4153rd 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: 96

Since this book was first published in 1860, there is a penalty of 0%. The age adjusted score is 96.0.

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.