Hell Is The Absence Of God by Ted Chiang

This speculative fiction story delves into a world where the existence of God, angels, and the afterlife is undeniable and manifest through frequent, visible miracles and angelic visitations. However, these divine interventions often result in as much harm as they do good, leading to a complex exploration of faith, love, and the pursuit of spiritual clarity. The narrative follows several characters as they navigate personal tragedies and miracles, each seeking understanding and solace in a reality where divine presence is palpable yet inscrutably indifferent. Through their intertwined journeys, the story examines the profound implications of divine evidence on human belief, suffering, and the quest for heavenly ascension or the dread of eternal separation.

The 10374th greatest book of all time

Ranking Details:

Our ranking system awards points to books based on their appearance and position on curated lists. Here's how it works:

Unranked Lists: For lists without specific rankings, each book receives points equivalent to the list's weight. This approach recognizes the book's inclusion on prestigious lists.

Ranked Lists: Books on ranked lists receive points in two ways:

  • Base Points: Initially, every book is awarded points equal to the list's weight, acknowledging its significance.
  • Bonus Points: Additionally, books earn bonus points based on their ranking. The total bonus pool, equal to 100% of the list's weight, is distributed among the books, with higher-ranked books receiving more points.

Exponential Distribution: The distribution of bonus points follows an exponential model. This means the top-ranked book (#1) receives significantly more bonus points than those further down the list (e.g., #100). Our algorithm ensures that higher placements are rewarded more generously, reflecting the achievement of a top rank on any given list.

This scoring system ensures that each book's ranking reflects both its presence on multiple lists and its positions within those lists, providing a comprehensive measure of its acclaim and popularity.

Total Points: 27

Since this book was first published in 2001, there is a penalty of 43.2%. The age adjusted score is 15.34.

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.