The Plague and The Fall were recommended to me by my French tutor and shrink, respectively.

The Plague seemed to drag on for a rather long time. It felt as if the story was stretching out, perhaps a bit too much. However, The Fall was pleasantly concise. It was a nice, short read that didn't overstay its welcome.

If you're in a philosophical mood, these stories can be somewhat interesting. They make you think about certain aspects of life and human nature. But at the same time, they're not outstanding masterpieces.

In a way, these stories are like Limbo in book form. They're not quite here nor there, not fully engaging nor completely forgettable. They just sort of exist in this middle ground, waiting for the reader to decide what to make of them.

I've thoroughly reviewed The Outsider and The Plague in great detail. My reviews have been attached to other editions, as is the rather annoying habit on Goodreads (GR).

Here, I simply want to state that The Plague is a remarkable work that combines elements of a thriller, horror, and theodicy. Theodicy, of course, is the exploration and discussion of the relationship between God and human suffering.

This combination makes The Plague a truly engaging and thought-provoking read. It keeps you on the edge of your seat with its thrilling plot, sends shivers down your spine with its horror elements, and makes you reflect deeply on the profound questions of theodicy.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well-written and multi-faceted literary work that can both entertain and make you think.

I truly do like Camus' story. It is extremely timely as it parallels our experiences with COVID to a great extent. However, I am giving this English-language version a very low score due to the poor quality of the translation.

Gilbert, who was working in a much different era, took great liberties with the text. He inserted text that doesn't exist in the original French-language version. As a result, this rendition is less than ideal compared to what Camus actually wrote.

On the other hand, the much more recent translation (copyright 2021) from Laura Marris is far more faithful to the original. It is a pleasure to read and provides a more accurate representation of Camus' work. It is a pity that the earlier translation by Gilbert fails to do justice to the beauty and depth of Camus' story.

One hopes that future translations will strive to be as faithful as Marris' version, allowing readers to fully appreciate the genius of Camus' writing.

If you've never delved into the works of Camus before, then this book serves as an excellent starting point.

It encompasses two novels, six captivating short stories, and two profound essays, which perhaps happen to be my favorite aspect of the entire collection.

'The Myth of Sisyphus' stands as the fundamental text of "absurdism", delving deep into the thought-provoking question of whether suicide is the sole logical reaction to an unfeeling and indifferent universe.

On the other hand, 'Reflections on the Guillotine' presents a compelling and persuasive argument for the abolition of the death penalty.

This book truly offers a comprehensive and engaging exploration of Camus' literary genius and his profound philosophical musings.

It allows readers to embark on a journey through different literary forms and themes, while also challenging their own perspectives and beliefs.

Whether you are a newcomer to Camus' works or a long-time admirer, this collection is sure to leave a lasting impression and provide valuable insights into the human condition.

I really liked "The Plague" and "The Fall".

In fact, I liked some of the selected essays better than others. For example, "The Artist at Work" was quite good.

This was the first time I had ever read Camus, and I'm glad that I have read so much Greek and Russian literature over the years to prepare for reading Camus.

I truly enjoyed the style of writing by Camus. His unique way of expressing ideas and emotions is something that no one seems to write like this anymore.

It's important to note that this collection doesn't have "The Stranger", just so you know.

Overall, my experience with Camus' works has been quite rewarding, and I look forward to exploring more of his writings in the future.

Feb 2011: "The Myth of Sisyphus", 2 of 5.

The absurdity of living and the logical necessity of suicide - these are topics that should be right up my alley. However, I just couldn't get into this work. Throughout my reading, one thing that really stood out to me was that the writing was very clunky and awkward. I'm inclined to blame the translator, but since I don't have access to the original and I assume (perhaps without basis) that Everyman's is using the de rigueur translation, it might just be that the original writing is clunky and awkward. Whenever I started to gain some understanding and momentum, the direction of this essay would roll right back down to the beginning, and it was always a struggle to get going again. Maybe Camus was just having a bit of fun with stubborn readers like me.

Dec 2009: The Plague, 3.5 of 5.

It's quite interesting to read this book in these days when there are 11-step handwashing posters in public restrooms and other attempts to inflate public obsession/paranoia about colds and flus. The story seems to resonate with the current situation, making it a relevant and engaging read. The characters and their experiences during the plague add depth and realism to the narrative. Overall, it's a good read that offers some food for thought.

It is always a challenging task to review a book of collected works, and this particular one proves to be even more difficult than the majority. I have a deep affection for The Plague and would definitely award it four stars. However, a couple of the stories within this collection present extremely problematic aspects. (It should be noted that Camus was not renowned for being an anti-racist or feminist.) Additionally, some of the content is rather dull.

That being said, reading The Plague was precisely the sort of dark and profound meditation on life that I required at this moment. Indeed, we are all engaged in a losing battle against death. Often, as individuals, there is not a great deal we can do regarding the worst that occurs - such as war, disease, and sociopaths. Nevertheless, we can struggle, fight, seek joy, and commiserate with all the other unfortunate souls who find themselves in the same chaotic situation as we are.

It is through such experiences and reflections that we can perhaps gain a deeper understanding of the human condition and find the strength to persevere in the face of adversity.

This is an excellent collection that encompasses many of Camus's most significant works and essays.

Camus was a renowned philosopher and writer, and his works have had a profound impact on the literary and philosophical world.

In this collection, readers can explore his thoughts on various themes such as the absurdity of life, the nature of freedom, and the search for meaning.

The works included here offer a comprehensive view of Camus's intellectual journey and his unique perspective on the human condition.

Whether you are a long-time fan of Camus or new to his works, this collection is sure to provide valuable insights and engage you in deep思考.

It is a must-have for anyone interested in philosophy, literature, or the exploration of the human spirit.

I read The Plague, which is an outstanding piece of literature. However, I couldn't locate that book listed independently. It had a profound impact on me during my college days. It was the very first book that I "had to read" in a literature class. At that time, I was so naïve, but this book truly opened my eyes to the harsh realities of pain, suffering, death, and tragedy - the real life that exists beyond our comfortable bubbles. As a result of reading this book, I decided to major in English. It's quite possible that this book steered me in that particular direction. It made me realize the power of words and literature to touch our souls and make us think deeply about the human condition.

I had high expectations.

I truly believed that things would turn out in a certain way. I had built up this anticipation in my mind, imagining all the wonderful possibilities that could unfold.

However, as it turns out, my expectations were not met. It was a bit of a disappointment. But perhaps it was my own fault for having such lofty hopes.

Maybe I should have been more realistic from the start. Instead of setting my sights so high, I could have been more prepared for a range of outcomes.

Nonetheless, I guess this experience has taught me a valuable lesson. Next time, I'll try to temper my expectations and be more open to whatever comes my way.

After all, life doesn't always go according to plan, and it's important to be able to adapt and make the best of any situation.

The plague may be the most impactful novel I have ever read.

It delves deep into the human condition during a time of crisis. The story unfolds with vivid descriptions of the chaos and fear that grip a city under the siege of a deadly epidemic.

The characters are richly developed, each facing their own personal demons and struggles as they try to survive in a world turned upside down.

Through their experiences, we see the best and worst of humanity, the acts of kindness and selflessness, as well as the greed and cruelty.

The novel also explores themes such as isolation, morality, and the meaning of life. It makes us question how we would behave in a similar situation and forces us to confront our own mortality.

Overall, The Plague is a powerful and thought-provoking work that leaves a lasting impression on the reader.

This compilation is truly remarkable.

It is composed of two novellas, namely "The Plague" and "The Fall", a collection of short stories titled "Exile And The Kingdom", and two essays, "The Myth Of Sisyphus" and "Reflections On The Guillotine".

This compendium offers a comprehensive view of Camus' outstanding writing skills.

It serves as an ideal starting point for beginners, and I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone who has not yet delved into his works.

I have long regarded "The Myth Of Sisyphus" as one of the most significant philosophical texts ever penned.

"Reflections" is also among the most crucial texts opposing capital punishment.

One day, I intend to provide a full review of both "Sisyphus" and "Reflections".

Overall, this collection is a must-read for anyone interested in Camus' literary genius and profound philosophical insights.