Ironweed by William Kennedy
Set during the Great Depression, the novel follows Francis Phelan, a former professional baseball player, who has become a drifter following a series of unfortunate events. Haunted by his past, including the accidental death of his infant son, Phelan returns to his hometown of Albany, New York, where he confronts his past and tries to make amends. The book explores themes of guilt, suffering, survival, and redemption.
The 2302nd greatest book of all time
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Total Points: 166
This book was first published in 1983
8 Lists
- score: 68 -- Books Of The Century - 1999 (Weight: 150)
- score: 36 -- The Modern Library | 100 Best Novels - 1999 (Weight: 79)
- score: 23 -- Harold Bloom's The Western Canon - 1994 (Weight: 60)
- score: 18 -- Pulitzer Prize for Fiction - Yearly Book Award (Weight: 86)
- score: 16 -- NY Times Editors Choice 1980-1989 - Yearly Book Award (Weight: 79)
- score: 1 -- National Book Critics Circle Award - Fiction - Yearly Book Award (Weight: 1)
- score: 1 -- 20th Century's Greatest Hits: 100 English-Language Books of Fiction - 1999 (Weight: 1)
- score: 1 -- Our Users' Honorable Mention Favorite Books of All Time - 2024 (Weight: 1)