The Playmaker by Thomas Keneally

"The Playmaker" is a historical novel set in the late 18th century, revolving around the lives of British convicts transported to the penal colony in New South Wales, Australia. The narrative focuses on a lieutenant who is tasked with directing a play featuring the convicts as actors, as part of a rehabilitation and morale-boosting effort. The story delves into the transformative power of theater, the complex relationships between the officers and convicts, and the harsh realities of life in the colony. Through the process of staging the play, the characters confront their pasts, their identities, and the rigid class and power structures of their society, all against the backdrop of the unforgiving Australian landscape.

The 8480th greatest book of all time

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Total Points: 45

Since this book was first published in 1987, there is a penalty of 20.8%. The age adjusted score is 35.64.

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.