The Emperor of Portugallia by Selma Lagerlöf

"The Emperor of Portugallia" is a poignant tale of a poor Swedish farmer who loses his sanity after his beloved daughter leaves home to work in the city. He retreats into a fantasy world where he is the Emperor of Portugallia, and his daughter is the Empress. Despite the ridicule and scorn he faces from his community, he clings to his delusions, finding comfort and solace in them. The story is a profound exploration of love, loss, and the power of the human mind to create alternate realities as a coping mechanism.

The 2662nd greatest book of all time


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Total Points: 138

Since this book was first published in 1914, there is a penalty of 0%. The age adjusted score is 138.0.

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.