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The Stranger

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"The Stranger" by Albert Camus is a novel that delves into existentialism through the story of Meursault, a man who seems indifferent and detached from the world around him. The plot follows Meursault as he navigates through life events such as his mother's death, a murder he commits, and a trial he faces, all while displaying a lack of emotion and connection with those around him. The writing style is described as choppy, matter-of-fact, and detached, reflecting the character's own demeanor and emphasizing the themes of absurdity and alienation.

Camus' exploration of the absurdity of life and society's inability to understand a man like Meursault forms the core of the narrative. Through vivid storytelling and a compelling portrayal of existential themes, the book challenges readers to reflect on concepts of meaning, morality, and the human condition. The character of Meursault serves as a vehicle for Camus to question societal norms and beliefs, ultimately leading to a poignant exploration of existential philosophy and the complexities of human existence.

Characters:

The characters are largely defined by their interactions with the emotionally detached protagonist, highlighting themes of alienation and moral ambiguity.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is characterized by its straightforward and minimalist prose, effectively communicating Meursault's apathetic worldview.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot follows Meursault, a detached man who experiences life without emotional connections, leading to a senseless murder and an absurd trial.

Setting:

The setting is primarily in Algeria, creating an atmosphere that enhances the themes of existentialism and absurdity.

Pacing:

The pacing is deliberately slow in the beginning, becoming more intense during the trial, allowing for reflection on the protagonist's indifferent nature.
The old people’s home is at Marengo, about eighty kilometers from Algiers, I’ll take the two o’clock bus and get there in the afternoon. That way I can be there for the vigil and come back tomorrow ni...

Notes:

The Stranger is also known as The Outsider, highlighting the theme of alienation.
Mersault, the main character, shows apathy towards significant life events, including his mother's death.
The novel explores the absurdity of life and society's expectations through Meursault's indifferent actions.
Meursault is sentenced to death not just for murder, but for failing to conform to social norms.
The first line, 'Mother died today. Or maybe yesterday, I can’t be sure,' sets a tone of disconnection.
The story prompts readers to reflect on their own responses to existential questions.
Camus's writing style is minimalist, consisting of short, straightforward sentences.
The book is considered a clear examination of absurdism, a philosophy that suggests life lacks inherent meaning.
The climate and heat of Algeria play a significant role in the narrative, influencing Meursault's actions.
The novel challenges the concept of morality by portraying a character who refuses to adhere to societal expectations.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Triggers may include themes of existential dread, violence, murder, and emotional detachment.

From The Publisher:

A visually stunning adaptation of Albert Camus' masterpiece that offers an exciting new graphic interpretation while retaining the book's unique atmosphere.

The day his mother dies, Meursault notices that it is very hot on the bus that is taking him from Algiers to the retirement home where his mother lived; so hot that he falls asleep.

Later, while waiting for the wake to begin, the harsh electric lights in the room make him extremely uncomfortable, so he gratefully accepts the coffee the caretaker offers him and smokes a cigarette. The same burning sun that so oppresses him during the funeral walk will once again blind the calm, reserved Meursault as he walks along a deserted beach a few days later-leading him to commit an irreparable act.

Ratings (350)

Incredible (60)
Loved It (118)
Liked It (108)
It Was OK (48)
Did Not Like (14)
Hated It (2)

Reader Stats (642):

Read It (371)
Currently Reading (3)
Want To Read (210)
Did Not Finish (5)
Not Interested (53)

6 comment(s)

It Was OK
1 week

A low 3 stars for me. It was readable and somewhat interesting, however I'm lost in the philosophical part. I didn't really get it. I might not be as advanced as a reader to fully understand and appreciate novels like this and should probably try to read it again when I feel ready for another try

 
Loved It
1 month

camus is a genius. the book is so easily written it lets you think only about the philosophical themes it revolves around. genius.

 
It Was OK
3 months

Would have preferred a faster pace. Was expecting a philosophical focus from beginning to end. I felt bored and impatient with the long setup of setting.

 
It Was OK
4 months

I understand the point of

The Stranger, but I can’t honestly say that I

like it.

Several years ago, one of my cousins died at the age of ten. At the implicit urging of my religious beliefs at the time, I spent a long time trying to prescribe meaning to his death. I would think, “Maybe he died because of x reason,” or “I needed to learn x from his death.” It’s only been more recently that I realized that I didn’t need to prescribe any meaning to his death. Obviously, I don’t like that he died, and I still feel sad about it, but I don’t need to make it meaningful; it’s meaningful in and of itself.

The Stranger has a similar message: life is absurd and meaningless. I agree that lots of stuff that happens is meaningless, especially when bad stuff happens. Assigning meaning to bad stuff implies that the universe or a higher power or whatever is cruel; I don’t believe that to be true.

I don’t know, this is a novella that I struggle with.

 
Loved It
6 months

I had to read this book for my English class but it's probably one of the best schoolbooks I've read.

Many have admitted their annoyance and frustration at the main character's (Mersault) lack of emotion but I believe it adds to the novel in a way showing emotion wouldn't.

. The situation is presented as is, there's no deeper meaning than what it is and what has happened. There's no lies just complete and utter honesty and maybe that's why I respect Mersault the most.

At no point does he lie for himself or others, no matter what the consequences are. This in turn gives the book an added effect that really opens your minds to the sheer dishonesty presented in everyday situations and the damnation such people receive when they are honest.

 
Did Not Like
7 months

Years ago I read The Plague as mandatory reading for school, and I really liked the complicated story. I knew The Stranger is even more popular book from this author. But I didn't know what it was about. I was really curious and expected that I might like this book. Unfortunately this did not happen.

This is just not a book for me. I don't like books where the plot is replaced by philosophical reflections on life and human nature. I have no doubts that this book is full of important thoughts and can make a great impression on many readers. But it just bored me. This is not what I'm looking for in my books.

Before, I planned to read this book in French to practice the language. Fortunately, I did not stick to this plan. For such a short book, it took me a long time to read it. At least I didn't have to bother with a foreign language that I am still learning. And if I don't understand something, it's not because I don't know the language well enough.

It was definitely not a book for me.

 

About the Author:

Albert Camus was born in Algeria in 1913. During World War II, he joined the Resistance movement in Paris, then became editor-in-chief of the newspaper Combat during the Liberation. A novelist, playwright, and essayist, he is most famous for his novels The Stranger and The Plague. He was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1957.

 
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