In Search of Lost Time by Marcel Proust

In Search of Lost Time is a monumental seven-volume novel about memory, desire, society, art, and the passage of time. Told through the narrator’s reflections on childhood, love, jealousy, social life, and artistic awakening, the work moves through France from the late nineteenth century into the early twentieth century, including the world of bourgeois families, aristocratic salons, the Dreyfus Affair, and World War I. It is especially famous for its treatment of involuntary memory, most notably the madeleine episode, and for its searching exploration of how time reshapes identity, love, and experience.

The 6th greatest book of all time

Ranking Details:

Our ranking system awards points to books based on their appearance and position on curated lists. Here's how it works:

Unranked Lists: For lists without specific rankings, each book receives points equivalent to the list's weight. This approach recognizes the book's inclusion on prestigious lists.

Ranked Lists: Books on ranked lists receive points in two ways:

  • Base Points: Initially, every book is awarded points equal to the list's weight, acknowledging its significance.
  • Bonus Points: Additionally, books earn bonus points based on their ranking. The total bonus pool, equal to 100% of the list's weight, is distributed among the books, with higher-ranked books receiving more points.

Exponential Distribution: The distribution of bonus points follows an exponential model. This means the top-ranked book (#1) receives significantly more bonus points than those further down the list (e.g., #100). Our algorithm ensures that higher placements are rewarded more generously, reflecting the achievement of a top rank on any given list.

This scoring system ensures that each book's ranking reflects both its presence on multiple lists and its positions within those lists, providing a comprehensive measure of its acclaim and popularity.

Since this book was first published in 1913, there is a penalty of 0%. The age adjusted score is 6298.0.

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.

Total Points: 6298

This book was first published in 1913

63 Lists