La Bête humaine by Émile Zola

"La Bête humaine" is a psychological thriller set against the backdrop of the French railway system during the 19th century. The plot revolves around a railway worker who, despite being a seemingly ordinary man, harbors a dark, uncontrollable urge to kill. The narrative is a grim exploration of human nature, delving into themes of inherited violence, animalistic instincts, and the impact of industrialization on society. The novel is also filled with a variety of subplots involving jealousy, betrayal, and murder, all intricately tied to the characters' lives.

The 1544th greatest book of all time

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Total Points: 240

Since this book was first published in 1890, there is a penalty of 0%. The age adjusted score is 240.0.

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.