Humankind has always been haunted by the specter of oblivion. The very thought of being forgotten, of being wiped off the face of the earth, from memory and the hearts of those we hold dear, strikes us down like a frail and withered sapling. Death, often seen as a distant and much-discussed concept, suddenly becomes all too real. In Camus' "La Peste," the happy town of Oran in Algeria is struck by a plague. The narrator, Dr. Bernard Rieux, witnesses the transformation of the people, their desperate struggle against the inevitable. The groans of the infected, their bodies wracked with pain, become the anthem of the town. Day after day, the people endure, until anger turns to agony and then to despair. God, once a source of comfort, seems to have abandoned them. Camus questions the very idea of a supernatural deity in the face of such suffering. The people of Oran, cut off from the outside world, lose their moorings of past loves and values. They live in a present that erases hope and love. But Camus also presents a glimmer of hope with the question of whether one can be a saint without God. Dr. Rieux's response, that he is interested in being a man, suggests that perhaps in the face of death and despair, it is our humanity that will ultimately sustain us.

The Plague (La Peste) is a remarkable work of modern literature that I first read in high school. Camus' use of a dry tone and an emotionless narrator to describe the catastrophe in Oran, Algeria, is both chilling and masterful. This classic existentialist work takes on new significance in light of current events, as the threat of disease outbreaks remains a real concern.

The town of Oran actually suffered from the bubonic plague in the 1700s and 1800s, and in the novel, set in the 1940s, a rough calculation based on the numbers in the book suggests that a significant portion of the population died. The images in the book, such as the midnight tramways loaded with corpses, are both terrifying and thought-provoking.

I have now re-read the original French version of the book, having previously read the Stuart Gilbert translation in high school. While the English translation captures the essence of the story, the original French has some beautiful turns of phrase and descriptive passages that make it a true monument of 20th century literature. Comparing the two translations, there are some interesting differences, particularly in the way certain images and concepts are expressed.

In conclusion, The Plague is a powerful and relevant work that continues to resonate with readers today. Whether you read it in the original French or in translation, it is sure to leave a lasting impression.

I hope that others will also discover the beauty and significance of this remarkable book.

Maybe someone can share with me how Robin Buss' translation differs from the others in the passages I have discussed.

It would be interesting to see how another translator has interpreted Camus' words.

"It comes to this," Tarrou said almost casually; "What interests me is learning how to become a saint."


"But you don't believe in God."


"Exactly! Can one be a saint without God? - that's the problem, in fact the only problem, I'm up against today."



The Plague represents a notable shift in Camus' perspective on ethics and life itself when compared to The Stranger. It is arguably one of his finest novels. In The Thought and Art of Albert Camus, Thomas Hanna writes that the plague is evil and sin is succumbing to this evil. Tarrou, speaking on behalf of Camus, is indeed referring to sin, but it is sin without God. Evil exists in this world, man belongs to this world, and sin is against a value that is of this world. God does not play a role in this problem at all. I have read this novel at least twice and will likely do so again. It offers profound insights into the human condition and the nature of good and evil.



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Kamij's "The Plague" is a profound and thought-provoking work. The story is set in the city of Oran, which is struck by a mysterious plague. The people of Oran are confined within the city, cut off from the outside world, and forced to face the harsh reality of death and suffering. The novel explores themes such as the meaning of life, the nature of evil, and the power of human resilience.

The character of Dr. Rieux is a central figure in the novel. He is a dedicated and compassionate doctor who works tirelessly to treat the sick and dying. Despite the overwhelming odds against him, he refuses to give up hope and continues to fight the plague with all his might. Through his actions, we see the importance of human kindness and the power of love in the face of adversity.

Another important theme in the novel is the idea of individual responsibility. The people of Oran are faced with a choice: they can either give in to fear and despair, or they can take responsibility for their own lives and the lives of others. Some characters, like Dr. Rieux, choose to act heroically and selflessly, while others, like Cottard, give in to their baser instincts and become corrupt and immoral.

In conclusion, "The Plague" is a powerful and moving novel that offers a深刻的insight into the human condition. It is a story that reminds us of the importance of love, kindness, and individual responsibility in the face of even the most difficult challenges. Whether read as a literal account of a plague or as an allegory for the evils of war and totalitarianism, this novel is sure to leave a lasting impression on its readers.

**(Book 559 from 1001 books) - La Peste = The Plague, Albert Camus**

The Plague is a profound novel penned by Albert Camus and published in 1947. It vividly depicts the harrowing story of a plague that sweeps through the French Algerian city of Oran.

This work poses numerous thought-provoking questions regarding the nature of destiny and the human condition. The diverse cast of characters, including doctors, vacationers, and fugitives, all serve to illustrate the far-reaching effects the plague has on the populace.

Despite Camus' objection to the label, The Plague is widely regarded as an existentialist classic. The narrative tone bears a resemblance to Kafka's, especially in The Trial, where individual sentences can potentially have multiple meanings, and the material often powerfully resonates as a stark allegory of phenomenal consciousness and the human condition.

The story unfolds in the city of Oran in Algeria. As the narrator, who later reveals himself to be Dr. Rieux, begins to describe the people and the city, the number of rats starts to increase, and their deaths become a cause for concern. Monsieur Michel, the concierge of Dr. Rieux's building, succumbs to a mysterious illness with symptoms such as boils and abscesses. The deaths of several others with similar symptoms lead Dr. Rieux to suspect that the cause of death is likely a form of Asiatic disease. Shortly after, Dr. Castel diagnoses the illness as the plague. Due to the sluggish response of the authorities, after some time, with the spread of the plague, the city of Oran is declared under quarantine.

This novel not only provides a gripping account of a city in the throes of a pandemic but also delves deep into the human psyche and the choices people make in the face of such a crisis. It remains a timeless work that continues to resonate with readers today.

The biggest mistake of my life was buying an audiobook of "Ta'oon".

The narrator couldn't really speak properly. He had a stutter and when he read, I just couldn't establish any connection with the book at all.

It was such a disappointment. I thought an audiobook would be a great way to enjoy the story while doing other things, but this one was a disaster.

I ended up not being able to finish listening to it. Maybe I should have just bought the physical book instead.

Now I know that when it comes to audiobooks, it's not just about the story, but also the narrator. I'll be more careful in the future when choosing which ones to buy.

The Plague, considered by some critics to be a wonderful work by Albert Camus (I think The Fall is even better), is a novel based on procrastination and detailed description, then weaving together stories and symbols between the lines to become a novel that can be read on multiple levels and reflects many human and existential concepts.

Superficially, the story is about the plague that sweeps through the Algerian city of Oran, turning it from an open city bustling with life into a large prison. The disease spreads among its neighborhoods and houses, affecting one person and killing another. Camus describes the gradual escalation of people's responses: initially denying the disease itself, then fearing it, living with it and waiting for fate and its power, then despair, then a mixture of people's elation with its end and forgetting!

The narrator only knows until the last pages (although everyone would guess that it is Dr. Rieux long before that), and this narrator, whom Camus has made an atheist, gradually changes from existentialism to absurdity between the beginning and the end of the novel: he is existential, believing in the nature of man and humanity from the beginning, fighting the disease, visiting people to treat them and helping in the initiatives that try to suppress the madness of the epidemic because he is concerned and has a sense of responsibility for human health, and perhaps the best example of this is in this conversation between him and Father Paneloux on pages 217-218:

Rieux: We are working together for something that unites us beyond the boundaries of prayers and ceremonies. That's all that matters now.

Paneloux: Yes, yes... You too are working for the salvation of man

Rieux tried to smile:

- The salvation of man is too big a word for me and I don't go that far. What concerns me is human health, his health before anything else.

And with the end, he develops into absolute absurdity in the inability to understand this existence and this life and the relationships that connect them, on page 287:

He knew what was going on in his mother's mind and that she loved him. But he also knew that it was not a great thing to love any of us as a being, and that any love at least always diminished his power to express himself. And so he and his mother would always love each other in silence. And she would die in turn, or he, without being able to go further than that in their tenderness throughout their lives, and in the same way he had lived close to Tarrou, and Tarrou had died that evening without their friendship really being able to live.

Deep down, it can be read on several levels:

* The political aspect: The plague represents the German army that invaded Europe (during World War II) with amazing speed and occupied most of it (including France) in a short time and in the blink of an eye on its way, but it eventually returned to be defeated and trapped. On page 95:

"The plague was nothing more to them than an unwanted visitor who had to leave one day as he had come. They were exasperated, but not hopeless."

* The philosophical aspect: The plague is God himself, and thus it is a material God who controls the fate of humans, leaving those he wishes alive and killing those he wishes, and humans thus have the power to resist this God and his ways and even overcome him later! On page 172:

"All the people, from the director (i.e., the director of the prison) to the last inmate, were condemned, from the point of view of the lofty plague. And thus absolute justice reigned in the prison, perhaps for the first time."

On page 254:

"I feel a greater sense of solidarity with the defeated than with the saints. And I think I don't like combat or sanctity, what concerns me is that man be a man."

Personally, I felt that Camus meant by the plague life, for since the first chapters I saw him describe life as the plague, and thus this life is of no value, it can only be described as a disease and there is no salvation from it except through death, but death does not mean suicide but rather perseverance in the struggle and resistance until the last breath!

The narrative style was excellent but the description was excessive in some places, which made me feel bored in some places, but what alleviated this boredom were the human ideas that Camus interspersed from time to time about friendship, love and war.

Quotes:

"In Oran - as in other cities - people are forced, because of the narrowness of time and thought, to love without feeling it."

"Misfortunes are common but you believe in them with difficulty when they fall on your head."

"There is nothing more stupid than war. And stupidity always persists and lasts."

"The plague was nothing more to them than an unwanted visitor who had to leave one day as he had come. They were exasperated, but not hopeless."

"We will see again the 'festivals of the eternal God' on the edges of the graves."

"Perhaps it is good for us to love what we cannot grasp."

"The heat of life and the image of death. That is knowledge!"

I have the feeling of that sad 21st-century child who is no longer amazed by any book from any modern school because he has lived through everything. What can I say? I have experienced both the corona and the all-encompassing disease of stupidity and absolute injustice. Therefore, this book is no longer strange to me like 100 years ago. It is a kind of realistic writing that I can only listen to and nod in agreement. I have also heard all the comments, critiques, articles, and everything everywhere that my friends have said. Therefore, I want to summarize my personal review. I say it was a good experience, but if I hadn't been in harmony with it, it would have taken much longer and I would have enjoyed it less because it was very slow-paced and had a certain style, and you had to read it only for the sake of seeking the philosophical and meaningful essence between the sentences. And if I had read it during the corona period, it would have been even more amazing to me and I would have given it 100 points. Otherwise, who am I to object to Mr. Camus and his unique philosophy of "life is absurd, but we must continue and love art and life"? The novel is not to my taste because it lacks a gripping story, but such pure literature should not be given up and we should always keep a few sentences and a few excerpts in the corner of our minds. Because we have not seen and are not familiar enough with the epidemic, both literally and symbolically (as evil, injustice, and stupidity in society). So, yes. After Camus and Chokhov and such teachers, I again have the feeling of that sad 21st-century child who is no longer amazed by any book from any modern school because he has lived through everything.

I believe that these literary works offer us profound insights into the human condition and the world we live in. They make us think, reflect, and question our own beliefs and values. Although they may not always be easy to understand or enjoy, they are essential for our intellectual and emotional growth. We should not shy away from reading such works, but rather embrace them and try to learn from them.

In conclusion, I would like to encourage everyone to read more literature, especially the works of great masters like Camus and Chokhov. They may change your perspective on life and make you a more empathetic and understanding person.

**"La Peste": A Powerful and Thought-Provoking Novel**

Albert Camus' "La Peste" is widely regarded as one of the greatest novels of the 20th century. The story begins with the emergence of a mysterious illness in the city of Orán, signaled by the appearance of dead rats. As the disease spreads rapidly, infecting and killing people without discrimination, the city is plunged into chaos and despair. The citizens of Orán are forced to change their lives drastically, with everything coming to a standstill. The streets are deserted, businesses are closed, and people are confined to their homes. The once-normal way of life is now dominated by the fear and uncertainty of the plague.

The novel follows the lives of several main characters, including Dr. Bernard Rieux, a heroic doctor who battles against the plague, and his friends and collaborators. Each character has their own unique perspective and response to the crisis, which reflects different aspects of the human condition. Through their experiences, Camus explores themes such as the absurdity of life, the role of morality and religion in times of crisis, and the importance of human connection and solidarity.

One of the most striking aspects of "La Peste" is its realism. Camus vividly描绘s the horrors of the plague and the impact it has on the lives of the people. The reader can almost feel the fear and anxiety of the characters as they struggle to come to terms with their new reality. At the same time, the novel also contains moments of hope and humanity, as the characters band together to fight against the plague and support each other.

Overall, "La Peste" is a powerful and thought-provoking novel that continues to resonate with readers today. It reminds us of the fragility of life and the importance of being prepared for the unexpected. It also shows us that even in the darkest of times, there is always the possibility of hope and redemption. I highly recommend this novel to anyone who is interested in exploring the human condition and the power of literature to make us think and feel.

Until there is no evil, no one will be free. The plague in the book "The Plague" is an allusion to the Nazi occupation of France or in fact all kinds of unjust and tyrannical situations. And Dr. Rieux is the idealized character of the author. (From existential psychotherapy - Yalom)

And really, a world of scenes from World War II movies filled my mind while reading the book. Such as the scenes of burying the dead and the railway stations.

In fact, "The Plague" once again has a story like that of "The Stranger", of course, like "The Stranger", it doesn't explain. Now it tells how to live in this world where there is a plague. In the book, we are faced with an epidemic (something that we ourselves are currently involved in), and we see how society and the government behave in these conditions, what the impact of this event might be on each person, and how the pattern of life goes on and how the lover and the beloved can be separated from each other. (And I remember Yalom's sentence that ultimately, fundamental loneliness is what we must face.)

At the end, it also gives the possibility of the return of evil, and well, that's it... Liberation from eternal darkness that doesn't exist.

The book can be very similar to "The Fall", but Camus' writing has its own differences.

The last book was in 2019.

**«A Peste»**

«A Peste» is a captivating story that unfolds in Oran during an epidemic of the plague. This plague serves as a powerful symbol of evil, and in the face of it, each character reacts in accordance with their temperament and beliefs.

It is an allegory that delves deep into the various behaviors that lack respect and consideration for others. The story highlights the importance of tenderness and happiness, qualities that are often overlooked in times of crisis.

The narrative takes readers on a journey through the lives of the characters, showing how they struggle to come to terms with the reality of the plague and how their actions and decisions impact those around them. It is a thought-provoking exploration of the human condition and a reminder of the significance of kindness and compassion.

In conclusion, «A Peste» is a remarkable book that ends with the adjective feliz, leaving readers with a sense of hope and a belief in the power of love and goodness.

**The Plague: A Reflection on the Human Condition**

“But what does it mean, the plague? It's life, that's all.”

Albert Camus' "The Plague" is a profound exploration that goes beyond the surface of a mere disease outbreak. It delves into the human psyche and the existential crisis that such a calamity brings. The story is set in the Algerian city of Oran, where the citizens face quarantine and death due to the plague.

What strikes one during the reading is the obsession with numbers. People are fixated on the number of dead rats, the locations where they are found, and then the number of human deaths. This absorption in data occurs even when they don't fully understand its significance or the actual level of risk. There is a false belief that the situation isn't as bad as it seems.

The townsfolk in Oran are initially slow to accept the severity of the plague and the need for quarantine. However, when it comes, Camus provides a fascinating psychological portrait of those confined within the city. They move from disbelief to losing hope that the plague will ever end. Some attempt to escape but are unsuccessful. Camus shows how they are cut off from their former lives and face the possibility of its end.

Eventually, the disease subsides, but the celebration of the town reopening its gates is tinged with melancholy. What is truly celebrated is the struggle and the small acts of heroism of those who endured.

\\"I realize we all have plague...Each of us has the plague within him.\\"

Camus makes it abundantly clear that the plague is always lurking, ready to strike. It serves as a reminder that life is fragile and that we must always be prepared to face the unknown. Overall, "The Plague" is a thought-provoking work that earns a rating of 3.75 stars.