Ironweed by William Kennedy
Set during the Great Depression, the novel follows Francis Phelan, a former professional baseball player, who has become a drifter following a series of unfortunate events. Haunted by his past, including the accidental death of his infant son, Phelan returns to his hometown of Albany, New York, where he confronts his past and tries to make amends. The book explores themes of guilt, suffering, survival, and redemption.
The 1418th greatest book of all time
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This book is on the following lists:
- 80th on 20th Century's Greatest Hits: 100 English-Language Books of Fiction (Larry McCaffery)
- 92nd on The Modern Library | 100 Best Novels (Modern Library)
- Pulitzer Prize for Fiction (Pulitzer Prize)
- National Book Critics Circle Award - Fiction (National Book Critics Circle)
- Harold Bloom's The Western Canon (The Western Canon (Book) by Harold Bloom)