Why Be Happy When You Could Be Normal? by Jeanette Winterson

This book is a deeply personal memoir about a woman's quest for identity and happiness amidst a turbulent childhood. Raised by an abusive and religiously fanatic adoptive mother in a small, industrial town in Northern England, the author struggles with her sexuality, eventually being thrown out of her home for having a relationship with another woman. She later embarks on a journey to find her biological mother, all while wrestling with her own mental health issues and trying to make sense of her place in the world. The narrative is a raw exploration of love, loss, and the power of literature as a means of escape and self-discovery.

The 7471st greatest book of all time

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Total Points: 115

Since this book was first published in 2011, there is a penalty of 59.2%. The age adjusted score is 46.92.

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.