In short, The Plague can be defined as a fictional version of the Myth of Sisyphus.

The Myth of Sisyphus tells the story of a man condemned to push a boulder up a hill for eternity, only to have it roll back down each time.

In The Plague, the people of Oran are faced with a similar sense of futility as they struggle to deal with the spread of the disease.

They are constantly fighting against something that seems insurmountable, much like Sisyphus pushing his boulder.

However, just as Sisyphus finds meaning in his struggle, the characters in The Plague also discover their own sense of purpose and dignity in the face of adversity.

The novel shows that even in the most绝望的 situations, there is still hope and the possibility of finding meaning in life.

In this hardcover collection, I had previously completed reading "The Plague" in another paperback edition, "The Fall" back in 2006, and "The Myth of Sisyphus" several years ago. Just last week, I made the decision to take on "Exile and the Kingdom". However, I was filled with uncertainty as to whether I could successfully navigate through it. This is because it "consists of short stories which explore the existentialist predicament from various viewpoints" as stated on the front flap.

Regrettably, my knowledge of existentialism is rather hazy. Therefore, in order to gain a better understanding and for the purpose of further narration, it is necessary to quote its definition from the Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary: “(philosophy) the theory that humans are free and responsible for their own actions in a world without meaning” (Turnbull, et al. 2010, p. 531).

As I embark on this new literary journey with "Exile and the Kingdom", I am both excited and daunted by the prospect of delving deeper into the complex and thought-provoking world of existentialist ideas presented within its pages. I wonder how these short stories will challenge my existing beliefs and perceptions, and what new insights I will gain along the way. Only time will tell as I continue to turn the pages and immerse myself in this captivating work.

It's truly challenging to determine precisely what to say about a writer of Camus' caliber. Ever since I delved into "The Stranger" during my high school days, I've been captivated by his writing. While "The Plague" is widely regarded as one of his masterpieces, curiously, I found "The Fall" to be the most engaging for me. "The Exile and the Kingdom" also provided great enjoyment.

This collection encompasses two essays: "The Myth of Sisyphus," which I had perused previously, and "Reflection on the Guillotine." The latter makes for an especially poignant read, particularly in light of the capital punishment situation in the United States and the recent botched execution of an inmate just a few weeks ago.

In my view, when attempting to expound existentialism to someone, "The Myth of Sisyphus" stands as the optimal work to recommend. Even though Camus himself might take issue with this assertion, his portrayal of Sisyphus' eternal labor and the significance of that struggle were instrumental in my genuine comprehension of existentialism.

Although this wasn't an effortless collection to traverse (it took me a couple of months to complete everything), I feel thoroughly enriched by the experience. If you share my penchant for balancing your literary diet and have an interest in existential literature, I highly recommend adding this one to your reading list.

Full disclosure, I did not read the essays included at the end of this collection.

I had the intention to do so, but once I started the first one, I just wasn't really feeling it.

After all, I realized that I'm not in school anymore, and so I shouldn't have to read academic writing that I don't have a desire to read.

However, having said that, I truly enjoyed the novellas and short stories that made up the rest of this collection.

It was classic Camus, with his unique style and profound themes.

I found myself engaged and immersed in the fictional worlds he created.

I'll be sure to update this review if I ever do decide to read the essays.

Until then, I can still appreciate the value and quality of the other works in this collection.

Overall, it's been a worthwhile reading experience, even without delving into the essays.