Broken Glass by Arthur Miller

This play unfolds in a Brooklyn apartment in 1938, amidst the terrifying backdrop of the Kristallnacht pogrom in Nazi Germany. It centers on a Jewish couple, Phillip and Sylvia Gellburg, whose marriage is unraveling under the strain of Sylvia's mysterious paralysis, which seems to be a psychosomatic response to the horrors unfolding in Germany. As Phillip struggles with his own identity and his role in his wife's illness, the couple seeks help from Dr. Harry Hyman, whose involvement only deepens the complexities of their relationship. The narrative explores themes of guilt, identity, and the psychological impact of historical events on personal lives, revealing the brokenness within individuals and their relationships against the backdrop of a broken world.

The 5066th greatest book of all time

Ranking Details:

Our ranking system awards points to books based on their appearance and position on curated lists. Here's how it works:

Unranked Lists: For lists without specific rankings, each book receives points equivalent to the list's weight. This approach recognizes the book's inclusion on prestigious lists.

Ranked Lists: Books on ranked lists receive points in two ways:

  • Base Points: Initially, every book is awarded points equal to the list's weight, acknowledging its significance.
  • Bonus Points: Additionally, books earn bonus points based on their ranking. The total bonus pool, equal to 100% of the list's weight, is distributed among the books, with higher-ranked books receiving more points.

Exponential Distribution: The distribution of bonus points follows an exponential model. This means the top-ranked book (#1) receives significantly more bonus points than those further down the list (e.g., #100). Our algorithm ensures that higher placements are rewarded more generously, reflecting the achievement of a top rank on any given list.

This scoring system ensures that each book's ranking reflects both its presence on multiple lists and its positions within those lists, providing a comprehensive measure of its acclaim and popularity.

Total Points: 120

Since this book was first published in 1994, there is a penalty of 32.0%. The age adjusted score is 81.6.

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.