Paris Trout by Pete Dexter

"Paris Trout" is a gripping narrative set in a small Georgia town in the 1950s. The story revolves around a local store owner, Paris Trout, who kills a young black girl and injures her mother over a debt dispute. His violent act sends shockwaves through the town and his refusal to accept guilt, along with his lawyer's struggle to defend him, exposes the deep-seated racial and social tensions in the community. The book explores themes of racism, violence, and the moral decay of a society that allows such acts to go unpunished.

The 5724th greatest book of all time

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Total Points: 87

Since this book was first published in 1988, there is a penalty of 22.4%. The age adjusted score is 67.51.

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.