Rating: 
Summary: Camus Finest Literary Achievement
Review: A riveting and utterly haunting book, this anthology of Camus's short stories is not only my favorite of all his works, but it is one of the best books I have ever read.The underlying theme in each of his stories is exile, whether it be spiritual, physical, or mental. From the tale of the school teacher put in care of an Arab prisoner to the missionary who finds himself worshipping a cruel graven image, each tale pits man in a pivotal moment in time which defines his future. This is at the very heart of existentialism, a predominant literary vehicle of contemporary authors. The tales are simple in style, yet vividly written and rich in detail. You'll find youself shocked by the tragic irony in each of the characters, and haunted by the stories for years to come.
Rating: 
Summary: A really good book with a repetitive message
Review: After you've read one, the point behind all the other stories in this book are the same. In each story the main charater must choose between living a ho-hum life or taking a chance and heading twards there own personal kindom. Unfortunatly in finding there kindom they are exiled in one form or another. With so many stories leading to the same conclusion, the point of the book is embeded into your head. They were all well written and I enjoyed the whole book, though I must admit I understood some better than others
Rating: 
Summary: Apparently pointless
Review: Camus' existentialism is expressed in very similar ways among the different short stories. However if you are not really feeling existentialist then you may, like myself, be disappointed because these stories do not have any plot line.
Rating:
Summary: A lesson
Review: I believe that this book should be read along with the Fall, for as Camus intended, the two works lend insight into each other. I don't believe it's quite accurate to boil these stroies down into existential philosophy and social crticism. There is something to Camus' work which speaks to more hidden aspirations. This is an incredible collection of stories, who's diversity defies Hemingway. However, unlike the other reviews, I don't believe that the stories are about exile in such a simple way. Many of the charcters seem to be liberated at the end of their stories...or, imprisoned. Either way, the exile involved here, I think, may have more to do with the kingdom of God. Take that as you will. This is a strong piece of literature.
Rating:
Summary: Camus symbolically sums up society's sorrows
Review: I find "Exile and the Kingdom" to be Camus' best book, and here's why. Here, towards the end of his life, he finally seemed to be sifting his philosophies from his characters; making real people turn up in unrealistic situations, hence making a point about either that character or society. What results is very strong fiction, be it the adultress in the desert, the teacher who cannot ignore a revolution, the artist locked up in his loft trying to find the perfect idea, or the islanders who must carry a stone to show their faith. Camus is blunt about what he feels are our shortcomings; but he lets his characters make their mistakes as people. Thus, years later, you find yourself still pondering these stories and seeing them reflected in the world around you. Profound, and uplifting in their own downbeat way. Considering that the novel he never finished, the recently published _The First Man_ is autobiography, it seems Camus felt he had said what he came to say about existentialism and society
Rating:
Summary: Camus symbolically sums up society's sorrows
Review: I find "Exile and the Kingdom" to be Camus' best book, and here's why. Here, towards the end of his life, he finally seemed to be sifting his philosophies from his characters; making real people turn up in unrealistic situations, hence making a point about either that character or society. What results is very strong fiction, be it the adultress in the desert, the teacher who cannot ignore a revolution, the artist locked up in his loft trying to find the perfect idea, or the islanders who must carry a stone to show their faith. Camus is blunt about what he feels are our shortcomings; but he lets his characters make their mistakes as people. Thus, years later, you find yourself still pondering these stories and seeing them reflected in the world around you. Profound, and uplifting in their own downbeat way. Considering that the novel he never finished, the recently published _The First Man_ is autobiography, it seems Camus felt he had said what he came to say about existentialism and society
Rating:
Summary: Terrific Reading
Review: I read "The Guest" in high school, and then decided to take a Camus class in college, which is when I took it upon myself to buy all the literature I could. My first comment: this book is excellent. Secondly: all of these stories contain a character that is liberated in some kind of way, whether the result be freedom or imprisonment. They are still liberated, exiled into another kind of life. That is precisely his point in writing this book and calling it EXILE AND THE KINGDOM. These stories are interesting and will keep you reading until you are done, which is precisely the way a book should be written.
Rating:
Summary: Terrific Reading
Review: I read "The Guest" in high school, and then decided to take a Camus class in college, which is when I took it upon myself to buy all the literature I could. My first comment: this book is excellent. Secondly: all of these stories contain a character that is liberated in some kind of way, whether the result be freedom or imprisonment. They are still liberated, exiled into another kind of life. That is precisely his point in writing this book and calling it EXILE AND THE KINGDOM. These stories are interesting and will keep you reading until you are done, which is precisely the way a book should be written.
Rating:
Summary: Terrific Reading
Review: I read "The Guest" in high school, and then decided to take a Camus class in college, which is when I took it upon myself to buy all the literature I could. My first comment: this book is excellent. Secondly: all of these stories contain a character that is liberated in some kind of way, whether the result be freedom or imprisonment. They are still liberated, exiled into another kind of life. That is precisely his point in writing this book and calling it EXILE AND THE KINGDOM. These stories are interesting and will keep you reading until you are done, which is precisely the way a book should be written.
Rating:
Summary: My least favorite of what Camus did....
Review: I've read out Camus: his philsophical treatises, his plays, his novels, his cahiers, etc. and been tremendously impressed by almost everything that he ever did. I find him brillaint, but even more importantly, humane. That having been said, I find the short pieces contained in Exile and the Kingdom (and, strangely, the French translation of the same..... he he) to be some of his most regrettable work.... Not to quibble... or to say that these aren't that important or contain something of use.... but if I were a new Camus reader, I'd definately go and read the rest of his tremendous body of work before I settled down to read these..... my specific criticisms come in line with the rest of the negative reader reviews (i.e. somewhat lack plot or devices to hold interest, etc.)
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