The novel delves into the life of a bright and ambitious young woman from a poor, rural background who earns a scholarship to an elite university. Thrust into a world of privilege and high expectations, she grapples with the starkly different lifestyles and moral codes of her wealthy peers. As she navigates the complex social hierarchies and pressures of college life, including the party scene, athletics, and academics, she experiences a profound identity crisis, struggling to maintain her sense of self and her values in an environment that challenges her beliefs and aspirations at every turn.

The 6854th greatest book of all time