Live Flesh by Ruth Rendell

This novel delves into the life of Victor Jenner, a man released from prison after serving a sentence for a violent crime that left a police officer paralyzed. The narrative explores themes of guilt, redemption, and the complexities of human nature as Victor attempts to navigate his newfound freedom. Struggling with his past actions and the consequences they wrought, he seeks a fresh start and a chance at a normal life. However, his path is fraught with challenges, including his interactions with the victim's family and his own inner demons, leading to a suspenseful exploration of whether true atonement and peace are ever fully attainable.

The 5307th greatest book of all time

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Total Points: 96

Since this book was first published in 1986, there is a penalty of 19.2%. The age adjusted score is 77.57.

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.