The Rules Of Attraction by Bret Easton Ellis

Set in the 1980s at a small, affluent liberal arts college in New England, the novel captures the lives of a group of self-absorbed, hedonistic students as they navigate a world of casual sex, drug use, and apathy. Through a series of first-person narratives that often overlap and contradict each other, the story delves into the disaffected and aimless existence of these young adults, exploring themes of unrequited love, the search for identity, and the meaninglessness of the college social scene. The characters' intertwining relationships and the consequences of their actions paint a bleak picture of the disillusionment and moral ambiguity of the era.

The 3167th greatest book of all time


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Total Points: 150

Since this book was first published in 1987, there is a penalty of 20.8%. The age adjusted score is 118.8.

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.