The Stranger | Albert Camus | A Horrid Book Everyone Should Read!

The Stranger | Albert Camus | A True Classic

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The Stranger

	The Stranger Albert Camus Vintage, 1989 - 144 pages average customer review:based on 530 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

A Horrid Book Everyone Should Read!

Albert Camus superbly takes us through the thoughts of a Godless heathen; A Nihilist. The author shows us the husk of a man. A hollow being who cares for nothing except his selfish desires. Our protagonist (and I use that label lightly) does not love his mother, whom he just days ago buried. Does not care, and looks on as his acquaintance beats his ex-girlfriend. He also does not care of the consequences or immorality of roaming the beach in search of someone to kill. He is mildly interested in sex. However, the woman whom he shares a bed with is viewed only as a means to the eventual end of satisfy his base needs. The main character is naive, loathsome individual whom everyone who reads this book should take great strength and pains never to be.

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A True Classic

I have used this book in a variety of classes ranging from beginning level French culture to teaching college reading prep skills. I choose it because students are often surprised at the lack of involvement Meursault has in his own life. This was the point Camus was trying to make, to be sure. This book is separated into two distinct parts: before and after M. goes to jail for killing some arabs. The book will spart a debate on racism, gender issues, cultural issues of the pied-noir and lliterary styles like absurdism. Did I mention that it is not that long? That is the students' favorite part.

Anyone should try it for something different. You don't need to be in a lit class to enjoy it.

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goth background research

"and the stranger - the killing of an arab"
It was those lyrics in Killing An Arab by The Cure that made me want to read this book. Plus, in high school, I thought I was an existentialist.
This story is really interesting and a great book to read if you're at all into the Cure - it's like adding some street cred or something - not really, but I feel somehow more orderly by having read it.
It's short, easy to read and gives an interesting view of life - it is written by quite a well known (ie. accessible) philosopher after all. One could call it a nice intro to existentialism or an addition to your goth music research, cuz you know you love to research music.

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Warning: May cause depression

The Stranger is a danger to read. I found myself depressed and uncaring throughout the piece. The Stranger is about a Frenchman, Muersault, and his life. The book takes place with Muersault finding out that his mother had died, creating a feeling of pity for the character, only to find out later that he doesn't even care. At his on mother's funeral, Muersault shows no feeling, he just sits and waits for things to end so he can go back to his life. This is the case from beginning to end. Muersault tortures his girlfriend mentally by telling her he doesn't love her but marriage makes no difference one way or the other, he watches everyday as a heartless man relentlessly beats and curses his dog, he gives his friend reason to think physical abuse on a woman is okay, and he eventually commits murder. At the end of the book Muersault is tried and rightfully put on death row.
When I read this book, my feelings did not change at any point. I respect the author and his style but Muersault is not the type of character I prefer to read about. He is overwhelmingly uncaring and not to mention boorrrriinnggg! I do believe there is something good to come out of everything though and what I pulled out of this book is a new appreciation for my own life. I'm much more exciting.
In conclusion, the book is obviously a classic and well known novel but just not for me. Camus is not the most uplifting person in this book; on the other hand, life is not always like the Disney channel. I only hope I don't develop some sort of mental illness now, after reading about the dark side of life.

Jimbo Martin
10th grade
LHS

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