At Freddie's by Penelope Fitzgerald

Set in the world of a struggling 1960s London stage school, the novel centers around the eccentric and indomitable Freddie, who runs the Temple Stage School with a mix of shrewdness and eccentricity. Amidst the backdrop of a harsh winter, the school becomes a microcosm for the larger world of theater, complete with its financial woes and artistic ambitions. The narrative weaves through the lives of the school's staff and young students as they navigate the precarious balance between art and commerce, innocence and cynicism, and the pursuit of fame and the love of the craft, all while Freddie fights to keep her dream and the school afloat in the face of numerous challenges.

The 6485th greatest book of all time

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Total Points: 66

Since this book was first published in 1982, there is a penalty of 12.8%. The age adjusted score is 57.55.

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.