The Memoirs Of Barry Lyndon by William Makepeace Thackeray

The novel is a satirical account of a young Irishman's opportunistic rise to wealth and status, and his eventual fall from grace. The protagonist, born into modest circumstances, uses his wit, charm, and unscrupulous behavior to mingle with European nobility and climb the social ladder. Throughout his adventures, he engages in duels, gambling, and romances, while his fortunes ebb and flow. His narrative, filled with irony and dark humor, exposes the hypocrisies and corruptions of 18th-century aristocratic society, ultimately leading to his imprisonment and reflective decline, as he pens his memoirs.

The 2298th greatest book of all time

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Total Points: 156

Since this book was first published in 1844, there is a penalty of 0%. The age adjusted score is 156.0.

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.