No fun escapism here, just the sharp reality of the guillotine

books:


	• The Stranger Albert Camus Vintage, 1989 - 144 pages average customer review:based on 519 reviews view larger image
	for more information click here

highly recommended

No fun escapism here, just the sharp reality of the guillotine

Short crisp sentences. Easy to read, but in total not necessarily easy to understand if you start thinking about what this story might mean. Just like in his novel "The Plague" Camus rubs the hard reality of death in your face to force the eternal, meaning-of-life question to the surface.
In the hot sun under the influence of a lot of wine Meursault stumbles into killing an Arab. What was he thinking? He is a man who thinks for himself. How could he get himself into such trouble? Unlike everyone else (according to the priest) when faced with death Meursault does not submit to the comfort the priest offers, even though he admits he is afraid.
More proof that Meursault was an independent thinker can be found on page 42 where he expresses his opinion about Paris: "It's dirty. Lots of pigeons and dark courtyards. Everybody's pale."

for more information click here

I now want to read the English translation

This "American" translation was the only copy of The Stranger I could find at the library. Now that I have read it, I will try to find the English translation so I can compare. Anyway, I want to reread this classic. It is my first novel by Camus, and I definitely was not disappointed. I was totally drawn into Mersault's world and could not help but feel sympathetic to his plight and could easily understand how a man could come to feel as he does. This is not a book against religion; it's a book that emphasizes self-examination and reflection as an individual in the realm of social conditioning. The role religion plays in that sphere, as both "conditioner" and vehicle of hope and transcendence, is what is presented for examination.

So short, yet so profound. I think this will be one of my all-time favorites.

for more information click here

Immensely important

This is an essential book for anyone interested in Camus and Sartre's brand of existentialism. You pop up on the scene and only afterward, define yourself. The only meaning life has is the meaning that you give it. You are, in the end, the sum total of your actions. That's it. Asking what the inherent purpose or meaning of life is is like asking what the meaning of your shoe is. It's a nonsensical question. You define such concepts for yourself, and so too are THE only one who can provide the answer. The protagonist of The Stranger realizes this far too late, and in the end, knows full well and good that he is a meaningless wretch, a loser. He is glad that people are cheering the fact that he will die, for that lets him know that there are people out there that are not like him, and that thought comforts him. Watch the Coen brother's The Man Who Wasn't There for an interesting noir take on the book.

for more information click here

Oblivious

To some, "The Stranger" is of the same mold as Kafka's "The Trial". With an exestentialistic perspective, Camus tells a story that is more of a reflection of society than a true novel. The feel that Camus strives for seems to fall short as the main character is not sympathetic. In reality, the character just seems stupid.

Monseiur Meursault is not saddened when his mother dies. This disturbs the jury just as much as the fact that he killed a man. With no remorse or guilt, the jury sentences Meursault to death. The main character seems maddeningly silent throughout the course of the story until his speech no longer matters. Visited by the chaplain in prison, Meursault finally spews his sad diatribe for virtually no one to hear.

Just as the main character seems unable to connect with his world, I was unable to connect with the story. I understand where Camus was leading the reader in the story, yet I feel that he did not deliver the anticipated effort in taking me to the point.

for more information click here

reviews: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, page 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19

hot

not?

What's your opinion?

Write a review and share your thoughts!

recommendations

100 Must Read-Books: The Essential Man's Library Part III
Never sleep again! Books better than your blanket!
English 525 "Existentialism and Literature"
Fifteen Genius Novels
soul soaring books

search for books
stranger

Impressum / about us