Against Interpretation by Susan Sontag
This book is a collection of essays that challenge the traditional methods of interpretation and criticism of art and culture. The author argues that in our attempt to interpret and find deeper meaning, we often overlook the sensory experience of the work itself. The book encourages readers to experience art in its raw form, focusing on the form, color, and sounds, rather than trying to decipher a hidden meaning. It is a call for a new, more direct approach to consuming art and culture.
The 734th 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: 492
Since this book was first published in 1966, there is a penalty of 0%. The age adjusted score is 492.0.
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: 114 -- The 100 Greatest Non-Fiction Books (Weight: 114)
- score: 90 -- Our Users' Favorite Books of All Time (Weight: 90)
- score: 81 -- Donald Barthelme’s Reading List (Weight: 81)
- score: 81 -- The 100 Best Nonfiction Books of All Time (Weight: 81)
- score: 63 -- The 50 Books Everyone Needs to Read, 1963-2013 (Weight: 63)
- score: 63 -- 100 Major Works of Modern Creative Nonfiction (Weight: 63)