The First Garden by Anne Hébert

"The First Garden" is a historical fiction novel set in 17th-century Canada. It tells the story of a young woman who is sent to New France (now Quebec) to be a "Filles du roi" or "King's Daughter" - a program where women were sent to marry the men of New France in order to populate the colony. The protagonist struggles to adapt to her new life, facing harsh winters, cultural differences, and the challenges of frontier life while grappling with her feelings for a local trapper. The book explores themes of survival, love, and the clash of cultures.

The 3300th greatest book of all time


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Total Points: 144

Since this book was first published in 1988, there is a penalty of 22.4%. The age adjusted score is 111.74.

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.