Moscow Petushki by Venedikt Yerofeev

The book is a surreal and satirical narrative that takes the reader on a tragicomic journey aboard a suburban train from Moscow to the small town of Petushki. The protagonist, a disillusioned intellectual and alcoholic, engages in philosophical musings and encounters a variety of eccentric characters, each embodying different aspects of Soviet life. As he delves into ruminations on love, suffering, and the search for meaning amidst the absurdities of existence, the journey becomes a metaphor for the human condition and the societal decay of the USSR, blending dark humor with poignant introspection.

The 1163rd greatest book of all time

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Total Points: 328

Since this book was first published in 1970, there is a penalty of 0%. The age adjusted score is 328.0.

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.