Desire Under The Elms by Eugene O'Neill

This play is a tragic tale set on a New England farm, exploring themes of passion, family conflict, and the destructive power of desire. The narrative centers around an aging father, his young wife, and his son from a previous marriage. The complex relationships between these characters are strained further by issues of inheritance and the son's romantic feelings towards his father's new wife. As jealousy and desires escalate, the characters are driven to extreme actions, leading to a devastating conclusion. The work delves deep into the human psyche, examining the dark and often destructive nature of desire and the consequences of pursuing one's deepest wants at the expense of others.

The 3094th greatest book of all time


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Total Points: 120

Since this book was first published in 1924, there is a penalty of 0%. The age adjusted score is 120.0.

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.