The Diamond Age by Neal Stephenson

Set in a future where nanotechnology has revolutionized society, the narrative revolves around a young girl named Nell who comes into possession of a powerful, interactive book called "A Young Lady's Illustrated Primer." This book, designed to educate and guide a young girl to a more enlightened state, was originally intended for an elite clientele but falls into Nell's hands by chance. As Nell uses the primer to navigate her complex, cyberpunk world, the story explores themes of education, social class, and the impact of technology on society. The book weaves together the lives of various characters across different strata of a stratified culture, examining how access to technology can both empower and divide.

The 5434th greatest book of all time

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Total Points: 111

Since this book was first published in 1995, there is a penalty of 33.6%. The age adjusted score is 73.7.

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.