The Inheritors by William Golding

This novel offers a unique perspective on the dawn of human consciousness, telling the story of a group of Neanderthals who encounter a new and advanced species, Homo sapiens. Through the eyes of these early humans, the book explores themes of survival, communication, and the often brutal nature of evolution. As the Neanderthals struggle to understand and coexist with these newcomers, their simple and trusting way of life is challenged, leading to a poignant reflection on the inevitable march of progress and the displacement of one world by another.

The 9849th greatest book of all time

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Total Points: 21

Since this book was first published in 1955, there is a penalty of 0%. The age adjusted score is 21.0.

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.