The Afternoon of Monsieur Andesmas by Marguerite Duras

"The Afternoon of Monsieur Andesmas" is a poignant exploration of memory, waiting, and the passage of time set in a small Mediterranean village. The narrative focuses on Monsieur Andesmas as he waits on a hillside for a contractor to discuss building a terrace for his daughter. As he waits, various interactions with the local people and his internal reflections reveal the complexities of his past relationships and the deep undercurrents of emotion tied to his family and his life choices. The novel delves into themes of guilt, regret, and the haunting nature of past decisions, all encapsulated in the quiet, tension-filled atmosphere of a single afternoon.

The 2828th greatest book of all time


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Total Points: 133

Since this book was first published in 1962, there is a penalty of 0%. The age adjusted score is 133.0.

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.