The Lily Of The Valley by Honoré de Balzac

The novel explores the complex emotional landscape of a young man who becomes infatuated with a married woman of higher social standing. Set in the French countryside and Parisian society of the 19th century, the narrative delves into themes of unrequited love, the pursuit of happiness, and the constraints of social class. As the protagonist navigates his passion and yearning for the seemingly unattainable woman, he experiences a profound personal transformation and a deep understanding of the bittersweet nature of human desires and relationships.

The 5244th greatest book of all time

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Total Points: 78

Since this book was first published in 1835, there is a penalty of 0%. The age adjusted score is 78.0.

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.