The Joke by Milan Kundera

"The Joke" follows the life of Ludvik Jahn, a man expelled from the Czechoslovak Communist Party, his university, and the army for a harmless joke he sends in a postcard to a girlfriend. The narrative explores his life before, during, and after his punishment, and his attempts to exact revenge on those who wronged him. Set against the backdrop of the Prague Spring and the Soviet Invasion, the novel delves into the themes of political satire, the absurdity of totalitarianism, and the individual's struggle against an impersonal and oppressive system.

The 1371st greatest book of all time

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Total Points: 274

Since this book was first published in 1967, there is a penalty of 0%. The age adjusted score is 274.0.

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.