Vathek by William Beckford

This gothic novel follows the story of Vathek, a cruel and decadent ninth-century Caliph who, driven by his insatiable quest for knowledge and power, makes a pact with the devil, Iblis. In exchange for unlimited power, Vathek promises to sacrifice his children. The narrative takes a dark turn as Vathek descends into a hell of his own making, filled with torment and regret, ultimately leading to his downfall. The novel explores themes of ambition, morality, and the destructive potential of unregulated power.

The 1138th greatest book of all time

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Total Points: 330

Since this book was first published in 1786, there is a penalty of 0%. The age adjusted score is 330.0.

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.