A outstanding read in 1993 (purchased the book in 2009)

Albert Camus set this book in his birthplace of Algiers in the old French colony of Algeria. His existentialist beliefs are reflected through the life of Meursault. Although the diversity of positions associated with existentialism precludes a precise definition, certain themes are common to virtually all existentialist writers: the stress on concrete individual existence and, consequently, on subjectivity, individual freedom, and choice.

Meursault and his friends get into a fight with a group of Arabs on a day out at the beach. Later, Meursault accidentally kills one of them, is tried by the Courts and sentenced to death on the Guillotine "in the name of the French people".

Initially, Meursault recieves a telegraph informing him of his mother’s death. The news has little emotional effect on him, he sees the funeral as an inconvenience because he must miss work. He believes death is inevitable, so there is no need to grieve. It is rare that Meursault describes his feelings but when he does they tend to be physical sensations rather than inner emotions. Meursault is greatly sensitive to the sun and on the day of his mothers funeral its heat, brightness and intensity occupy his thoughts.

Meursault gives a detailed account of his trial. Under questioning, he refuses to cover up the deed with a lie or show remorse he does not feel. He maintains an everyday antipathy to religion, even under sentence of death, and so questions what traditionalists hold to be morally correct.

The reasons for the killing are barely touched on but Meursault is greatly condemned for the 'heartless' way he behaved at his mother's funeral. He is punished for being an 'outsider' and this in turn provides the Court with enough evidence to pronounce him guilty of murder. The judgment is based more on his lack of remorse than with reference to the actual events.

This is a very powerful novel, not one word wasted. Camus’ skill as a writer is demonstrated in the way the novel manages to accomplish its aim in such a short and easy to digest length. The outsider is condemned because he is different not because he is wrong.

Classic Fiction Novel
First published in French as 'L'etranger' in 1942. ( )

Plot Synopsis
Meursault tells readers about the time right before and the time right after he murdered an Arab on a beach.

My Thoughts
Meursault has to be the most emotionally detached main character I've ever read that wasn't autistic or in some other way mentally Other. And this complete lack of feeling for other people or even the world in general, made it practically impossible for me to identify with him or like him. Unfortunately, I am a character-driven reader. A plot can be relatively mundane and dull, but if the characters are complex, dynamic (meaning they "grow" during the story), and interesting, I'll still love the book. This is not the case with The Stranger.

Fortunately, however, after characters my second point of interest in reading is philosophy and theme, and Camus is certainly no stranger to philosophical discussions as the basis for his writings. Meursault, while in my opinion completely ridiculous, does offer readers a look into the life of a man who believes unflinchingly that life is something that is happening to him. When his recently acquired girlfriend, Marie, suggests the two get married, Meursault explains to her "that it didn't really matter and that if she wanted to, [they] could get married". He doesn't care one way or another; he'll just go with whatever life throws at him. The death of his mother gets as little emotional attention as the proposed marriage. He can't even fake emotion, and eventually it is this inability that is both his downfall and his transcendence.

Philosophically this text is packed with items for contemplation. For me, Meursault's only saving grace (which still didn't make me particularly like him) is his refusal to contradict his own personality and belief system. Even when his very life hangs in the balance, he doesn't budge an inch. He will not pretend to a belief in God, Justice, or Remorse. This is admirable to me.

Camus' writing is quite simplistic (or at least the translator's is), and I don't mean this is a negative way, just descriptive. The sentences are short and generally follow the conventional structure of subject-verb (predicate). The events and the telling of these events are straightforward and clean-cut. No flowery prose detracts from what is essentially part of the theme of the book itself: meaninglessness (absurdism) and the creation of meaning by the individual (existentialism). ( )

I disagree with the philosophy of this novel completely..I find it juvenile..BUT it's written so well that I don't care. Very thought provoking as far as person responsibility, the justice system, absurdity, and meaning. ( )

This is not a good choice for audio. First off, it was four discs but only took up about two and a half (the rest was some talk on existentialism I didn't listen to), meaning that George Guidall said "the end" almost two hours before I was expecting him to. Luckily, I had a paper copy so I reread the last few pivotal pages of the story. I could sum up the story but that's not really the point. There's a guy and a murder and lots of absurdity. By and large I think I enjoyed it, though it was quite slow to start. I probably would have appreciated it more as a student, with a teacher there to tell me when to pay attention. Perhaps I'll read it again someday. ( )

An interesting quick read. Very thought provoking. ( )