Otherland by Tad Williams

This epic science fiction saga unfolds in a near-future world where virtual reality technology has advanced to unprecedented levels, allowing users to immerse themselves in incredibly detailed and lifelike alternate universes. The narrative follows a diverse group of characters as they embark on a perilous journey through these virtual worlds to uncover the dark secrets of the Otherland network, a mysterious and vast cyberspace realm. Their quest is driven by personal motives, ranging from seeking a cure for a comatose child to unraveling the fate of missing persons, but they soon discover that their actions have far-reaching implications, challenging the very nature of reality, consciousness, and the power structures behind the technology.

The 10267th greatest book of all time


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Total Points: 27

Since this book was first published in 1996, there is a penalty of 35.2%. The age adjusted score is 17.5.

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.