Broken April by Ismail Kadare

"Broken April" is a tale set in the highlands of Albania, where a centuries-old, rigid code of conduct known as the Kanun dictates the daily lives of the people. The novel revolves around two main characters, a young man who is obliged to commit a murder in order to avenge his family's honor and a newlywed couple on their honeymoon. The young man is trapped in an endless cycle of blood feud, while the couple, fascinated by the customs of the highlands, slowly gets entangled in the deadly traditions. The story is a profound reflection on the harsh realities of revenge, honor, and societal expectations.

The 2738th greatest book of all time

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Total Points: 144

Since this book was first published in 1978, there is a penalty of 6.4%. The age adjusted score is 134.78.

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.