The Stranger

It's a good read if existentilism interests you

Really enjoyed this book man. Solid read.

The Stranger, at its core, is a philosophical novel. It exemplifies Camus' brand of philosophy, known as absurdism. It counts itself among several nihilistic philosophies that assert that there is no inherent meaning in the world, and all the attempts to seek meaning are absurd. It is when a human being understands this core reality of life, he or she receives their salvation. It is difficult to embed any philosophy in an interesting tale, interesting enough that people would read the book and take away the philosophy. In this way, Camus is similar to Ayn Rand, who also attempted to embed the philosophy of Objectivism in her books. He is equally talented but much more understated writer. Their philosophies are poles apart, but they use similar strategies to get them across to their reader and followers. The Stranger is a tale of someone who is absolutely unaffected by most emotional incidents that life throws at him, incidents that would normally upset ordinary people. Death of a grandmother, proposal by a girlfriend or facing death. It is a designed persona, or else, who can imagine someone who faces death not only with indifference, but with glee? Camus seems to be questioning the binary that pervades the common belief - you either have good reasons for your behavior, or you are insane. He seems to be saying through his protagonist's behavior that you are not obliged to provide reasons for your behavior to anybody. In fact, the reasons provided by people are not actual reasons - they are only the pathetic facade that one puts on the inherent vacuum of existence, the absurd nature of things. It is designated meaning by people and it comes across as a logically layered description of reality, or people's behaviors and actions - but is absurd when you peek closely into it. The plot and narrative style is mundane. There is no melodrama and even the most melodramatic scenes are described nonchalantly, as if the protagonist - and since the protagonist narrates the story in first person, the author is looking at things nonchalantly. Things like death of close ones, murder, love, friendship and law. Things that most people hold close to their heart. It is as if Camus is laughing at people who take the meaning of things seriously - the meaning that lies at the fabric of the society itself. It does not go to as much of an extreme as Sartre's "Hell is other people", but treats community and society as inherently vacuous and redundant. The supporting characters are diverse and interesting, and though they are looked at from the perspective of the protagonist, they surprise you at times. Raymond comes across as unlikable but very interesting. Marie lacks depth but probably Camus intended her to. The protagonists internal monologues are not only designed to give a glimpse into Camus's philosophy but are also used as literary devices that give a little ambiguity to the character. They refuse to tell you a lot about the protagonist while giving huge amount of information about his thoughts. Overall, it is a great read for someone who believes in nihilistic line of thought. I find the whole exercise unconvincing, hence I give it 4/5. Worth a read definitely, even if you do not care about Camus' philosophy. It is a must read for the sake of completion of the canon of great books of 20th century.

Highly Recommend, Perhaps one of the best books if not the best I've ever read. Quite a lot of things.. The storytelling, the storytelling is next to none.. It deals with Absurdity, The Indifference of the world and the protagonist, The pressure of social conformity and the cost of being indifferent to socially acceptable expression/behaviour, the difference between guilt and crime, vicissitudes of life, the evil of retrospective logic on intentionality to name a few. And product quality is good and loved the cover quality, I had accidentally spilled cooking oil but was able to completely remove it without damaging the book

The Stranger by Albert Camus is a thought-provoking literary masterpiece that challenges the very core of human existence and meaning. Camus masterfully explores themes of absurdity, alienation, and the indifference of the universe through the detached and complex character of Meursault. Every word is deliberate, every silence profound, making this novel an essential read for anyone seeking to understand the human condition. Camus’s brilliance as a writer is unmatched—his ability to confront life’s most unsettling truths with such simplicity and depth is extraordinary. This is a book everyone should experience at least once in their lifetime.

The Stranger by Albert Camus is a short but intense novel that explores the absurdity of life through its emotionally detached protagonist. Its simple language hides deep philosophical questions, making it a haunting and memorable read. Great for anyone interested in existentialism.

Albert Camus’ The Stranger is a novel that lingers in the mind long after the final page. From the very first sentence—one of the most striking openings in literature—the book draws you into the detached and unsettling world of Meursault, a man who seems indifferent to the expectations of society. Camus’ writing is deceptively simple yet profoundly philosophical. The narrative, told in Meursault’s unembellished voice, slowly builds an atmosphere of existential isolation. His passive acceptance of life’s events, from his mother’s death to his trial, makes for a compelling, if sometimes unsettling, read. The novel brilliantly captures the idea of the absurd—the notion that life has no inherent meaning and that societal norms are arbitrary constructs. While Meursault’s detachment can be frustrating at times, it is also what makes the book so thought-provoking. The courtroom scenes, in particular, highlight how society demands conformity, punishing those who refuse to adhere to its unspoken rules. Overall, The Stranger is a fascinating and introspective novel. It may not be for everyone, as its protagonist’s emotional detachment can feel alienating, but it’s precisely this quality that makes the book so powerful. A must-read for those interested in existentialism and the absurd.

It's a good story

Too abstract for year 2025. Maybe too French. 4 stars because there is something to be learned from - otherwise, terrible narration.

Niestety, okładka książki jest bardzo cienka i łatwo się zgina, co trochę psuje przyjemność z czytania. Szkoda, bo treść zasługuje na lepszą jakość wydania.

Interesting book that makes you think.

Muy buen libro. Lo recomiendo

A quick read with a unique style of writing and an interesting main character and story. 10/10