L'Étranger

A short review because there are so many other good reviews of this classic. When I first read this eons ago, I assumed “the stranger” was the Arab man that the main character kills on the beach. (It’s set in Algeria.) However, that assumption was incorrect.

Meursault, the main character, is a man without feelings and one incapable of feeling remorse. These deficiencies are evident at his mother’s death when he does not cry and does not seem terribly upset. They are shown again when he agrees to write a letter for a friend so that the friend can invite his ex-girlfriend back to beat her up. Mostly, they are revealed when he shoots a stranger - an Arab – after an altercation on the beach. Five shots: first one, a pause, and then four more. The “four more” is what eventually gets him convicted.

He lives in a poor, violent neighborhood where, when one man’s wife dies, he starts beating his dog instead of his wife. “As for the dog, he’s sort of taken on his master’s stooped look, muzzle down, neck straining. They look as if they belong to the same species, and yet they hate each other.”

Meursault has a girlfriend that he likes, but mostly he doesn’t care about her one way or the other. These two passages say it all: “A minute later she asked me if I loved her. I told her it didn’t mean anything but that I didn’t think so. She looked sad.” And “That evening Marie came by to see me and asked me if I wanted to marry her. I said it didn’t make any difference to me and that we could if she wanted to.”

His boss at a shipping company asks him if he want to be transferred to a job in Paris. “Then he asked me if I wasn’t interested in a change of life. I said that people never change their lives, that in any case one life was as good as another…”

At his trial for the murder, he feels that the prosecutor and his lawyer are arguing in a way that has nothing to do with him. He has a surge of feeling that he is dying to say something but then thinks “But on second thought, I didn’t have anything to say.” When he’s convicted and sentenced to death, he also acts as if it’s no big deal. “But everybody knows life isn’t worth living….Since we’re all going to die, it’s obvious that when and how don’t matter.”

The book is a classic early modern work of anomie, alienation and a general indifference to life. It’s also perhaps a spin-off from Crime and Punishment. Today, a novel like this would take us back to Meursault’s childhood to show us why he turned out like this. Camus doesn’t do that, so we can only speculate – or, perhaps, attribute it to genetics.

As a classic in English translation, a lot has been made of its opening and closing sentences. In the edition I read, the first sentence is translated as “Maman died today.” Should it be “Today, mother died?” On the last page is a sentence: “…I opened myself to the gentle indifference of the world.” Should it be instead, “I laid my heart open to the gentle indifference of the universe?” I’m reminded of the review I did of Mogens by Jens Peter Jacobsen where the foreword tells us that the author felt it would be a different story if it began “It was summer,” rather than “Summer it was…” Still a great classic.

Beni Said Beach from skyscrapercity.com
Photo of the author from port-magazine.com

Sometimes, I find myself reflecting deeply on the purpose of my existence. I truly believe that I have been placed on this earth with a specific mission in mind. That mission is to immerse myself in the world of questionable literature and to develop an intense thirst for the works of Camus.

I am determined to accomplish this mission with the utmost grace and elegance. There is something about the allure of literature that speaks to my soul, and I am eager to explore the boundaries of what is considered acceptable or mainstream.

Camus, in particular, has captured my imagination with his profound insights and unique perspective on life. His works have the power to challenge my beliefs and make me question the very nature of existence.

I look forward to delving deeper into his writings and uncovering the hidden gems that lie within. With each page I turn, I feel a sense of excitement and anticipation, knowing that I am one step closer to fulfilling my mission.

I will approach this journey with a sense of curiosity and open-mindedness, ready to embrace whatever comes my way. And through it all, I will strive to maintain my grace and dignity, knowing that this is an essential part of my mission.

I truly adored this book.

It rightfully deserved a 5-star rating. However, the fact that it took me an inordinate amount of time to read it meant that some of its intended impact was perhaps lost on me. I sincerely wish that I could have read it in one sitting to fully appreciate its essence.

I was deeply captivated by the emotionless nature and unwavering truth of this man and his actions. His character was portrayed in such a raw and honest way that it left a lasting impression on me.

The story itself was engaging and thought-provoking, taking me on a journey through his life and experiences. Despite the challenges I faced in reading it over an extended period, I still found great value in this book and would highly recommend it to others.

In 2019, I gave the book 4 stars, but I didn't feel worthy of writing a review. I'm doing it now, first of all to clarify that it's undoubtedly about an important novel.

Ultimately, why is Meursault sentenced to death? How does he differ from others? Why is he considered a "stranger"? The first answer came directly from the author: "In our society, any man who doesn't cry at his mother's funeral risks being punished." Therefore, a person must respect the customs, do and be like everyone else. The guillotine awaits the one who doesn't follow the traditions.

What's wrong with Meursault? Before answering, I would like to clarify, incidentally, that the hero kills, yet, in self-defense. Few have noticed this, although the narrator is clear: "I took a step, just one step forward. And, this time, without getting up, the Arab took out the knife he had shown me in the sun. The light flashed off the steel like a long blade." Probably the Arab didn't take out the knife to admire the thing. And not to sell it to Meursault either.

The first characteristic of Meursault is that he can't pretend, he's incapable of lying, he doesn't master the art of hypocrisy: "He was approaching the coffin when I stopped him. He said to me: 'Don't you want to?' I replied: 'No!' He stopped and I felt bad because I knew I shouldn't have said that. After a while, he looked at me and asked me: 'Why?', but without reproach, as if he just wanted to know the reason. I said: 'I don't know'." His sincerity turns Meursault into a strange, anti-social, impossible-to-understand individual.

In the second place, the protagonist is non-affective. He doesn't love Marie Cardona, although he would marry her anytime. He treats others indifferently and doesn't want (or can't) to justify his attitude: "Facing this night charged with signs and stars, I opened myself for the first time to the tender indifference of the world. Feeling it so similar to me, so fraternal in the end."

Mario Vargas Llosa believes that Meursault is a "prefiguration of a contemporary prototype" (The Truth of Lies, 2005, p.158): the taciturn, apathetic, pleasure-obsessed, withdrawn individual...

I would note, in conclusion, the economic/minimalist style of the writer. The Stranger is composed of many simple sentences (subject + verb + complement + period). When he received the manuscript, André Malraux reproached Camus precisely for the "poverty" of the expression. He couldn't convince him to add some adjectives, some adverbs. Camus didn't "lengthen" his sentences. The beginning of the book is classic: "Mother died today. Or maybe yesterday, I don't know for sure": "Today, mother died. Or perhaps yesterday, I don't know."

First of all, I want to say that this was my first encounter with Albert Camus and I declare myself a victim of his pen, his enchanting melancholy, and his beautiful way of thinking.

Some things I read to better understand the depth of the book:

The "Stranger"迷人地represents the feeling of the absurd, one of the two main poles around which Camus' work moves, and is the "narrative transfer of the ideas contained in The Myth of Sisyphus: An Essay on the Absurd," in which Camus' theory of the absurd is formulated.

Although, to be honest, in this book I didn't see anything absurd. Maybe I saw another, more "strange" logic. What do I mean?

This book seems simplistic at first reading. However, it is precisely behind these simple, dull, monotonous sentences that the philosophy of the absurd is hidden.

This book has honesty. A lot of honesty. So much that perhaps someone may not be able to handle it. So much that perhaps it will oppose the "indifferent, heartless, indifferent hero of the book." After all, every person can withstand a different dose of honesty. In our society, we have learned this. That's why we filter our words, our answers, our reactions according to who we have in front of us and how much truth they can withstand in order to avoid accidentally hurting them or often to save ourselves from inappropriate situations. Acceptable.

However, there are people who do not fit into this mold and as long as they do not attack the person in front of them and proceed based on the saying "my freedom ends where the freedom of the other begins," I see no reason why they should be socially oppressed and judged.

Mersault did not attack anyone. He did not judge those around him. He observed them from his balcony and stored details and information in his mind. However, he did not judge them. And yet he was judged himself, and very harshly. So what was Mersault's crime? Was it that he didn't cry at his mother's funeral? That he killed the Arab? Or was it precisely this lack of filtering, the refusal to tell the slightest lie, and the fact that he didn't give society what it absurdly demands. Hypocrisy.

"There was no doubt that I loved my mother very much, but that didn't mean anything...."

So why "Stranger"? Because society sees you as strange and unacceptable if you don't fit into its prototypes, regardless of the individual idiosyncrasies and colors of each person's personality that allow them to react differently to the same stimulus.

This book celebrates difference and deals with society's obsession with finding meaning in everything. Even where often there is none!!!

Funfact No1: In 2010, psychiatrist Christopher Badcock studied Mersault and determined that:

"The hero of 'The Stranger' is a characteristic type of person with Asperger's syndrome. The interest in this approach becomes even greater when we consider that this neurodevelopmental disorder was first identified in 1944 while Camus' book was published in 1942!"

Funfact No2: "The Cure" have written their song "Killing an Arab" based on Camus' "The Stranger." This song was highly criticized because it was considered to hide a racist message against Arabs.

A message of hope:

"Mother used to say often that no one is ever completely unhappy. I confirmed this in my prison cell, when the sky took on color and a new day slipped into my cell."

A message about the absurdity of one person judging another:

"the fact that this decision was made by people who change underwear"

"In any case, I wasn't sure what really interested me, but I was absolutely sure about what didn't interest me. And that's exactly what they were talking to me about, didn't interest me."

In the conversation with the priest:

"However, he interrupted me and wanted to know how I saw this other life. Then I shouted to him: A life where I could remember this one here."

And finally, his shocking words about his execution:

"To bring everything to an end, to feel less alone, I have no choice but to hope that many spectators will come on the day of my execution and greet me with cries of hatred."

Albert Camus’ 1942 classic, “The Stranger,” begins with a powerful and thought-provoking scene. The opening lines, “Mother died today. Or, maybe, yesterday; I can’t be sure. The telegram from the Home says: YOUR MOTHER PASSED AWAY. FUNERAL TOMORROW. DEEP SYMPATHY,” immediately draw the reader in and set the tone for the rest of the novel.

The use of a telegram to inform the protagonist, Monsieur Meursault, of his mother’s death is significant. It is a cold and impersonal means of communication, highlighting the mechanized and dehumanized nature of the modern world.

Meursault’s interaction with his manager as he tries to obtain leave for the funeral further emphasizes this theme. His manager’s annoyance at having to grant him time off shows how death is seen as an inconvenience in a world where time is money and efficiency is valued above all else.

As Meursault sits beside his mother’s coffin at the Home, we see another aspect of his character. His request to have one of the lamps turned off is met with a curt and unyielding response from the keeper, who adheres strictly to the rules and procedures. This incident reveals the rigidity and lack of compassion in the institutionalized environment.

The day of the funeral procession is described in vivid detail, with Meursault’s focus on his physical sensations and the heat of the sun. His way of being in the world is primarily on the level of sensation and feeling, rather than on emotional or intellectual reflection.

After the funeral, Meursault’s life continues in a seemingly ordinary way. He goes swimming with Marie, a girlfriend he meets at the local pool, and agrees to take her to the movies. However, his decision to do so on the evening after his mother’s funeral is seen as inappropriate by society, further isolating him.

The novel reaches its climax with the famous scene on the beach where Meursault encounters an Arab. The tension builds as the heat and the situation become increasingly unbearable, leading to a violent and unexpected act.

“The Stranger” poses many profound questions about human nature, morality, and the meaning of life. It challenges the reader to question their own assumptions and values and to consider the role of the individual in a society that often seems冷漠 and unforgiving.

One of the most powerful scenes in the novel is when Meursault enters the courtroom and feels like an outsider. His observation that the people in the courtroom are behaving as if they are in a club, while he is the one who is out of place, is a poignant comment on the alienation and isolation that can exist in the modern world.

Camus’ novel speaks to our condition as modern humans, highlighting the sense of displacement and disconnection that many of us feel. Whether we love or hate it, “The Stranger” is a work of literature that continues to resonate and provoke thought long after we have finished reading it.

The Stranger is widely regarded as one of the most significant philosophical novels of the 20th Century.

In most college courses related to Existentialism, which posits that human beings are responsible for creating the meaning and essence of their own lives, The Stranger is often the first text that students encounter.

If you have an interest in philosophy, especially Existentialism, The Stranger serves as an excellent starting point.

Camus provides only a sparing description of the main character, Meursault. For the majority of the novel, Meursault holds no genuine opinions about anything, and even events like the death of his own mother have little impact on him.

The lack of detailed description, clear motivation, and significant action turns Meursault into a kind of literary Rorschach test.

The reader ends up filling this void with their own prejudices and preconceived notions from society, thereby becoming as involved in constructing the fictional world as the author.

The Stranger is likely not what one would typically anticipate from most novels. The entire story is a deliberate exploration of absurdity.

Although the plot is straightforward and the characters may seem one-dimensional at first glance, they all work in harmony to create a remarkable philosophical piece.

The Stranger is like an onion that can be peeled layer by layer. The more closely one reads between the lines, the more there is to discover.

Despite its relatively short length of only 150 pages, it is packed with an astonishing amount of meaning and content.

I have found it to be a book worthy of being read multiple times, and its brevity allows it to be read cover to cover in just an hour or two.

It is almost an insurmountable task to attempt to describe Camus' The Stranger to those who have not yet delved into the pages of this remarkable book.

L'Étranger stands in stark contrast to many other novels with philosophical undertones. Its uniqueness is palpable, and it is easy to fathom why it has earned its esteemed place among the books that people claim everyone should peruse at least once in their lifetime.

If you manage to get around to reading this surprisingly concise novel, it is crucial not to approach it with the wrong set of expectations. In a more conventional book, the plot might leave a great deal to be desired. Moreover, Camus does not conjure up characters for whom you develop an intense emotional attachment, compelling you to frantically seek more information about them. This book is not centered around the external events that unfold; rather, it zeroes in on what transpires within the recesses of a human mind in a remarkably nuanced manner. A reviewer aptly described this book as "intellectually stimulating," which perhaps comes closest to encapsulating the essence of The Stranger.

While in the initial stages, the story may appear dull and lacking in inspiration, suddenly, the words begin to seize your attention and infiltrate your thoughts, raising a plethora of questions along the way. What precisely endows our lives with meaning? Do they even possess a meaning at all? Shouldn't it rather be contended that since we are all inevitably going to confront death sooner or later, all our lives are equally devoid of meaning?

This narrative about a man estranged from his surroundings may prove tiresome for some readers, but above all, it offers food for thought. And as long as you do not anticipate sheer enjoyment from Camus' most renowned novel, then The Stranger is certain to prompt profound reflection.