The Empress Of Salt And Fortune by Nghi Vo

In this evocative fantasy novella, a young archivist listens to the tales of an elderly woman named Rabbit, who was once a servant to an exiled empress. Through a series of vignettes, the narrative unfolds the empress's cunning and silent accumulation of power in a court that underestimated her. Set in a world inspired by imperial China, the story weaves themes of memory, storytelling, and the subversion of patriarchy, as the archivist uncovers the hidden history of a regime's rise and the role of women who operated from the shadows to shape their destiny. The tale is a testament to the quiet strength and resilience of those who have been marginalized, and the impact of their often-unseen labor on the course of history.

The 10654th greatest book of all time

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Total Points: 36

Since this book was first published in 2020, there is a penalty of 73.6%. The age adjusted score is 9.5.

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.