An American Childhood by Annie Dillard

The memoir provides a vivid portrayal of the author's early years growing up in 1950s Pittsburgh, capturing the joys, challenges, and awakenings of childhood with lyrical prose and keen observations. Through a series of anecdotes and reflections, it explores the development of a young person's mind as she navigates family dynamics, social norms, and her burgeoning passion for nature and literature. The narrative is as much an ode to the innocence and curiosity of youth as it is a contemplation of the process of self-discovery and the formative experiences that shape our understanding of the world and our place within it.

The 6863rd greatest book of all time

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Total Points: 63

Since this book was first published in 1987, there is a penalty of 20.8%. The age adjusted score is 49.9.

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.