Nemesis by Philip Roth

Set in Newark, New Jersey, during a polio outbreak in the 1940s, the book follows a dedicated playground director, Bucky Cantor, who remains on duty while many others flee the city. Despite his efforts to keep the children safe, polio begins to affect those around him. As fear and panic spread through the community, Bucky also becomes infected and loses his eyesight. The story is a profound exploration of personal responsibility, duty, and the random, tragic nature of life.

The 6042nd greatest book of all time

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Total Points: 144

Since this book was first published in 2010, there is a penalty of 57.6%. The age adjusted score is 61.06.

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.