The River Between by Ngugi wa Thiong'o

"The River Between" explores the lives of the Gikuyu people living in the Kenyan highlands during the early days of white settlement. The novel focuses on the struggle between two villages, each with differing views on the encroaching influence of the Christian missionaries. The protagonist, a young man torn between the traditional values of his people and the new ideas brought by the missionaries, serves as a symbol of the larger conflict. The narrative delves into themes of love, cultural identity, religious conflict, and the struggle for independence.

The 2397th greatest book of all time


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Total Points: 144

Since this book was first published in 1965, there is a penalty of 0%. The age adjusted score is 144.0.

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.