The Sellout by Paul Beatty

This satirical novel follows the story of an African-American man living in a small, agrarian town on the outskirts of Los Angeles. After his father's death, he attempts to reinstate slavery and segregation in his town as a means of creating a sense of identity for himself and his community. The novel explores themes of racial identity and equality in America, challenging societal norms and expectations through its provocative narrative.

The 1282nd greatest book of all time


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Total Points: 848

Since this book was first published in 2015, there is a penalty of 65.6%. The age adjusted score is 291.71.

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.