The Stranger
Ratings563
Average rating3.9
15
Ratings563
Average rating3.9
With the intrigue of a psychological thriller, The Stranger—Camus's masterpiece—gives us the story of an ordinary man unwittingly drawn into a senseless murder on an Algerian beach. With an Introduction by Peter Dunwoodie; translated by Matthew Ward. Behind the subterfuge, Camus explores what he termed "the nakedness of man faced with the absurd" and describes the condition of reckless alienation and spiritual exhaustion that characterized so much of twentieth-century life. “The Stranger is a strikingly modern text and Matthew Ward’s translation will enable readers to appreciate why Camus’s stoical anti-hero and devious narrator remains one of the key expressions of a postwar Western malaise, and one of the cleverest exponents of a literature of ambiguity.” –from the Introduction by Peter Dunwoodie First published in 1946; now in translation by Matthew Ward.
Reviews with the most likes.
One sentence synopsis... An exploration of absurdity through the life of Meursault, a French Algerian whose apathetic responses to society's standards of behaviour lead him to his death.
Read it if you like... nothing. And dislike nothing. And have no feelings for anything at all. Perfect book for you. Far stretch comparison but at times Meursault gives off some very Patrick Bateman, dead-behind-the-eyes vibes.
Dream casting... I don't think a film version of this book makes any sense but somehow I'd trust Joaquin Phoenix to find a way to make it work.
A nice little story, but I couldn't get anything out of it. It's a bit too nihilistic for my taste.
Disappointed this wasn't the life-changing read everyone claimed it'd be. I might as well have just listened to another Damien Echols interview.
This was very difficult for me to read because I wasn't used to the style of writing. In all honesty, what kept me going was the fact that it was recommended by a good friend and I had trust in his taste of books.
Overall, it didn't disappoint me. The ideas presented were beautifully articulated and although I read through chunks of paragraphs that I really didn't pay attention to, the bigger picture was still there and left me thinking about life and death (which is always a favourite topic).
Featured Prompt
83 booksBooks have the ability to educate, inform and inspire us to be better. What are some of the books that changed your life in some way? This could be books that gave you a new point of view, taught y...
Featured Prompt
2,097 booksWhen you think back on every book you've ever read, what are some of your favorites? These can be from any time of your life – books that resonated with you as a kid, ones that shaped your personal...
