Short Eyes by Miguel Pinero

The book is a raw and unflinching portrayal of life inside a New York City prison, where the racial and social hierarchies of the inmates are stark and brutal. The narrative centers around the arrival of a new prisoner, who is accused of a heinous crime that makes him the target of the other inmates' scorn and violence. Known as "Short Eyes" to the prison population—a slang term for a child molester—the man's presence exposes the complex web of morality, survival, and power struggles that define the prison ecosystem. As tensions rise, the characters are forced to confront their own demons and the harsh realities of the penal system.

The 9864th greatest book of all time

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Total Points: 21

Since this book was first published in 1974, there is a penalty of 0%. The age adjusted score is 21.0.

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.