Rating: 
Summary: The Meaning of Nothing
Review: What is nothing? Where is it? How does it affect us? I don't know, and I don't care. I've heard people say that indifference is a bad thing, but what's wrong with blah? Blah is good. Well...maybe not good, but it's not bad either. If you're searching for the meaning of existence, or if you want to read THE existentialist masterpiece, or if you're bored with this review (like I am), go buy this book.
Rating:
Summary: Like nothing at all
Review: I would like to refer to Matko Vladanovic's review. Like he said, this book left nothing in memory after the read. Nothing to discuss, not much vividness about anything. That's what Albert Camus was trying to put to us wasn't it? Why and what do we exist for? We go through life, just living, not knowing why or what we are here for. Like the book, most of our life just passes us by, not much thinking about it is there? From home to work or school, back home, then to work or school, perhaps a few hobbies in between. Some of us understand the need to WAKE UP! But most of us don't. We live life just like the book, not much to think about after it has ended. Read the book just to reflect on this point, about why it feels so drab, like it NEVER EXISTED. I took the book from shelf, read book, put back onto shelf, forgot about book. Is it still there? Do I care? Ha, sort of like life really.
Rating: 
Summary: A book of self-absorption
Review: I personally view this book as a character study of an extremely self-absorbed individual. It's fascinating how differently the main character sees events from that of other people as a result of his extreme propensity to look inward. Overall, I get the impression that Camus intended to warn readers of the dangers of worshipping individualism by showing an extreme form of it.
Rating:
Summary: NOT FOR THE NAIVE OR TOTALLY HAPPY PERSONS
Review: This work is a fundamental piece of 20th century existentialism, and has survived its time because evidently man still suffers and does some very silly things. To those who criticize the artificiality of Mersault's lack of emotions, the materiality of its existence or the absurdity of the novel, I extend my congratulations, because they must surely live a full and emotionally nurturing live, maybe pursuing actively the American Dream. If you fit in this description, you may want to read a book that makes common sense, like a thriller or Harry Potter. OTHERWISE, READ THIS BOOK IF YOU DON'T WANT TO MISS a masterful depiction of the alienation of the modern human being, the anguish of existence and the absurdity of nothingness (maybe the gentlemen of the Nobel prize board didn't miss this point).
Rating: 
Summary: Godot wannabe
Review: What to say. This book is the book about absurd, and nothing more. It gives insight in the process of thought that philosophers of mid twentieth century founded so "new and refreshing". But if we compare L'Etragner and Waiting for Godot, we suddenly find ourselves in the shallow pond of poor literacy presented in this book. It seems to me that Camus undertook form of his imaginary antihero Mersault more than he was willing to admit. The book lacks any kind emotion, though someone will say that the person who is tellin' the story (Mersault) is also emotionless so that is some kind of plus. I wouldn't say so, When one writes a book, one tries to hold his readers in at least minimum state of anticipation, this book doesen't do it. When I read it, I had a feeling that nothing happened, I just opened the book on page one, ane after few hours i finished it, and nothing happened, no intensive memories, no vivid pictures, not even the material for good debate. Nothing. So if you really want to see what kind of place world could become if there were no emotions, read this book, otherwise, skip it
Rating: 
Summary: Philip
Review: Philip, I really appreciated your review. It made me laugh really loudly, and several times. Especially the bit about how four stars lined up look ok. I haven't read the book either. I just gave it three stars cause i like the number 3.
Rating:
Summary: The title fits the story
Review: The title of this book is called "The Stranger", and for me, it certainly lives up to its title. By the time I finished the book I felt I hardly knew this character any better than when I first began it. I can appreciate the "existentialist" writing of it, but I found the book to be on the verge of depressing. Camus' style didn't sit well with me either. It read too much like journal entries or stage directions. The narration was very clipped for my taste. The storyline got very muddled and weird when it dealt with what happened to Mersault and the murder. The reasoning he gave for doing it was just unbelievable and dry. The book was an interesting change from the norm however. I did feel my usual reading spectrum was broadened and refreshed by this book. If you want a look into unconventional human reasoning, I suggest you get this book. If you do not like unconventional (and sometimes depressing) glimpses into the human pshyche or practically non-existant dialogue, I suggest you do NOT get this book.
Rating:
Summary: Whats the point
Review: I havnt read this book. Ill buy it perhaps and put it on the
shelf. Perhaps Ill add it to my wish list and leave it there.
Whats the point. Or better yet-- Camus, Whats he trying to prove. I gave this book a four because 4 stars lined up look ok. I find it somewhat hypocritical that Camus would write this book to influence others. If he wrote it to publish in order to pay his rent, thats believable.. But if he thought to write a clever well written book to impress others... well it seems rather nonsensical. If he'd thought the joke was on us... he'd be wrong. The jokes on him.. and his pointless wasted life.
Rating: 
Summary: More absurd than Camus intended
Review: I began The Stranger with high hopes. I ended the book with a confused expression on my face. This book was written by Camus with the explicit goal of creating a "hero" of the absurd, or the ideal existentialist man. What is the ideal? In a word, nothing. No emotions, no vitality, no humanity. Meursault, the "Hero" wanders through life indifferent to everything around him. At the end of this novel we are left with the "conclusion" that we should resignedly accept our positions in life without hope, but with an indifferent optimism. No wonder so many "common folk" are disillusioned with intellectuals and literary types--existentialism doesn't make sense. Existentialism is as absurd as they claim their world is. Ever wonder why only literary types are existentialists and professional philosopher's are rarely (if ever!) existentialists? Because there is no logical basis for this silly philosophy. There is nothing wrong with expressing emotions, loving others, and actually being passionate about something--it's called being a human being. Existentialism doesn't even come close to recognizing these common sense truths. I've decided to give this book two starts because Camus wrote a low quality story rather well. He may have actually been a good writer had his head not been so muddled with "the absurd."
Rating:
Summary: More like 4.6 stars
Review: Goddammit, I LIKE this translation! I wish people would stop putting it down. Although it has none of the poetic beauty of the other main translation, that is the WHOLE POINT! Read it in the French or have someone translate it for you (for the French- impaired, like me) and you will realize that part of the book's power is the stark, straight-to-the-point style of writing. Camus is a genius, and this translation is truest to his original words. Prepare to be shocked, entertained, amused...and ultimately to see yourself in this book. (Or worse, NOT to see yourself...) This is most definitely worth your money and your time.
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