The Magic Barrel by Bernard Malamud

"The Magic Barrel" is a collection of thirteen short stories that explore themes of love, suffering, and redemption set against the backdrop of post-World War II New York City. The stories follow a range of characters, from a lonely rabbinical student seeking a wife to a poor grocery store owner struggling with his faith. The narratives provide a poignant examination of human relationships, the immigrant experience, and the struggle to find meaning in a difficult world.

The 3200th greatest book of all time

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Total Points: 114

Since this book was first published in 1958, there is a penalty of 0%. The age adjusted score is 114.0.

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.