Night Train To Lisbon by Pascal Mercier

The book revolves around a Swiss classics teacher who, upon encountering a mysterious book by a Portuguese author, becomes obsessed with the life and thoughts of the writer. This obsession leads him to abandon his job and life in Bern, embarking on an impulsive journey to Lisbon. In his quest to understand the author's fate and the resistance movement against the Portuguese dictatorship that the author was involved in, the protagonist explores themes of history, philosophy, and the complexities of human character. As he delves deeper into the past, he encounters various individuals who were connected to the author, piecing together a narrative that challenges his own understanding of life and identity.

The 8129th greatest book of all time


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Total Points: 78

Since this book was first published in 2004, there is a penalty of 48.0%. The age adjusted score is 40.56.

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.