Alot of pain in such a small book.

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	• The Stranger Albert Camus Vintage, 1989 - 144 pages average customer review:based on 519 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

THE STRANGER by Albert Camus

Camus is here proponing his absurdist theory, as something of a counterpoint to existentialism. The amoral main character, Meursault has a short attention span and an utterly lazy approach to life - not that he doesn't work hard, but that it doesn't make any difference to him what happens. His catchphrase is that things and events are "of so little importance." "It's common knowledge that life isn't worth living, anyhow," is what gets him through the day.

The novel begins as Meursault's mother dies, and then takes us through his daily activities, culminating in a rather inexcusable murder. The second half of the novel traces Meursault's trial.

Ultimately, Meursault rejects God repeatedly, although it certainly didn't help that the minister (along with the one other Christian in the novel) is something of a buffoon, and has a very poor approach. Meursault is content to put his fate in the hands of "the benign indifference of the universe."

Considering the implications of some of these philosophies, it remains baffling to me that some people are content to die and then to cease to exist. Put another way, some people have so little regard for their own existence. Certainly both existentialism and absurdism are anti-Christianity in this and many other aspects.

The novel has a little trouble getting out of the blocks, but it picks up nicely and it's a quick read. Ultimately, the degree to which one enjoys this book is dependent on how one feels about its philosophies.

TAKE IT OR LEAVE IT

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Alot of pain in such a small book.

It didn't sink in until the next day. I couldn't believe how sad it was.

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Chilling Indifference

The fictional story, The Stranger, was written by a French author, Albert Camus, and published in English in 1946. The short novel is about the fall of the main character, Meursault, due to his fatal flaw - indifference. The Stranger gives the reader a glimpse into the mind of a criminal and insight into the danger of human apathy.
If Camus's purpose was to depress the reader, he certainly accomplished his goal. The reading is heavy and full of despondency. The author takes us into the mind of a criminal and shows us why he committed murder. The reader may find him/herself swinging back and forth on whether to sympathize with Meursault or to detest him.
The plot of this book is very unclear and unorganized. However, this fits exactly with the tone of the story. Meursault's mother, Maman, is a big part of the plot even though she is not alive in any of the book. The Stranger opens with Meursault going to Maman's funeral. "Maman died today. Or yesterday maybe, I don't know." His mind cannot seem to focus that his own mother has died. He does not care that she is dead and all he can think of is his discomfort through the funeral. This is significant because later in the investigation of the murder, they use his insensitivity of his mother's death as evidence of his cruel and monstrous character.
Camus uses very short, concise sentences in his book. The thoughts of Meursault's are so rational that it is close to insane. He cannot seem to feel anything. The short sentences add to the way Meursault's mind works. The book is descriptive but the language is certainly not beautiful; the descriptions are cold and unattached observations.
Meursault's character is portrayed as exceedingly indifferent but he shows a little bit of humanity at the very end of the story when he is about to be executed. He is thinking over his life and Maman. "I felt as if I understood why at the end of her life...she had played at beginning again...And I felt ready to live it all again too." The only thing that takes away from his feeling of happiness at the end of his life is a desire to not be alone. "I had only to wish that there be a large crowd of spectators the day of my execution..." This is the only element of humanity that is ever portrayed by Meursault. This show of humanity finally gives The Stranger a little bit of life and makes it believable.
Albert Camus wrote this book with wisdom and insight into the character flaw of apathy. His main character is an extreme example of how apathy can diminish morals and meaningful people into something that is just another insignificant thing in this huge world.

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Upsetting what normality triggers

"Is my client on trial for having buried his mother, or for killing a man?"

That question, asked toward the end of "The Stranger", will stay with the reader. Meursault lived a simple life, uncomplicated by extravagant emotion. And that--by judgment of his society--was his real crime. Chilling.

And here is another question which may haunt readers: Just what emotions should one feel, and just exactly how strongly should they be felt? Careful, Camus may have said, your answers will be used against you.

Riveting (Gilbert translation)

(Note: This is a review of Stuart Gilbert's translation)

I am not familiar with Albert Camus's work, but decided to read this. I was hooked from the beginning. Camus is very effective at instilling a sense of urgency and suspense. Throughout the novel, you feel helpless, nothing more than a passenger being driven toward the inevitable conclusion.

The main character is as much a victim of whimsy and circumstance as a willing participant in it. At times he seems like nothing more than a sentient animal, able to communicate with other people effectively, but unable (or unwilling) to emote. As I read, my mind became filled with questions. Is his condition the result of a mental handicap, or an innate acceptance of reality? Is it actually possible for someone to be like this? Was he always like this, or did something make him this way?

What's worse is the question I continually avoid: is he right?

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