Arcadia by Jim Crace

The novel follows the intertwined stories of three individuals: Victor, a wealthy businessman who seeks to recreate his childhood paradise, an apple orchard, in a city; Anna, a young woman who is drawn to Victor's vision and becomes his personal assistant; and a young boy named Paddy, who is unknowingly the key to Victor's past. As Victor's utopian project begins to crumble, the lives of these three characters are dramatically altered. The narrative explores themes of memory, nostalgia, and the destructive pursuit of idealized pasts.

The 3534th greatest book of all time


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Total Points: 150

Since this book was first published in 1992, there is a penalty of 28.8%. The age adjusted score is 106.8.

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.