City of Salt by Abdelrahman Munif

"City of Salt" is a novel that explores the dramatic transformation of a remote desert oasis when it becomes the site of oil extraction. The story is set in an unnamed Middle Eastern country and follows the lives of the local inhabitants who are profoundly impacted by the arrival of American oilmen. The book delves into themes of cultural imperialism, greed, and the destructive power of wealth and industry on a traditional society.

The 7329th greatest book of all time

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Total Points: 57

Since this book was first published in 1984, there is a penalty of 16.0%. The age adjusted score is 47.88.

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.