Picture Palace by Paul Theroux

The novel follows the life of Maude Coffin Pratt, a celebrated photographer who has traveled the world capturing images of extraordinary events and people. Now in her seventies, she is attempting to organize a retrospective exhibition of her work. As she sifts through her extensive collection of photos, she finds herself reliving her past, particularly her tumultuous relationship with her younger brother, an affair that shaped her life and continues to haunt her. The narrative explores themes of love, obsession, and the power of photography to capture and preserve moments in time.

The 10328th greatest book of all time

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Total Points: 6

Since this book was first published in 1978, there is a penalty of 6.4%. The age adjusted score is 5.62.

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.