South of the Border, West of the Sun: A Novel by Haruki Murakami

The novel tells the story of a man named Hajime, who grew up as an only child in post-war Japan. He forms a deep bond with a girl named Shimamoto during his childhood, but they lose touch as they grow older. Hajime builds a successful life with a wife and two daughters, but he is haunted by his past. When Shimamoto unexpectedly re-enters his life, he is torn between his commitment to his family and his lingering feelings for his childhood love. The novel explores themes of nostalgia, regret, and the complexities of human relationships.

The 8601st greatest book of all time

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Total Points: 45

Since this book was first published in 1992, there is a penalty of 28.8%. The age adjusted score is 32.04.

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.