The Stranger

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Summary: *The* embodiment of both my emotions and philosophy
Review: One of the very, very few literary works I'd read, in or outside of class, that has significantly changed how I view the world. Or, perhaps, this is inaccurate, for it seems as if I've always viewed the world from a vaguely existentialist perspective but have been unable to articulate it - that feeling of being trapped inside my mind with a ceaseless internalized monologue, of having no "identity," only continuous reactions to events - before reading the book. Only after having read it, however, can I truly appreciate or even notice the amazing phenomenon of being conscious. That I am not strictly defined or limited by any master plan, that, really, nothing else exists except that internal monologue, seems much more miraculous and much more comforting than any religion.

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Summary: A Life-Altering Read
Review: All I can say is that this book is simply fantastic. Despite its brevity and spareness... the essence of it, and all the concerns that it addressed remain deeply relevant today. It changed and challenged many of my views and perceptions on life, God and redemption. It was one of the best books I've read so far.

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Summary: The Stranger
Review: Personally, I didn't think this book was very good. The whole concept of writing a book about a faceless man just doesn't appeal to me. I know that all of Camus books are strange but this one just wasn't one of his better books. The book just didn't have enough going on in it. The entire book was about the faceless man killing someone and then getting executed. I think the book probably would hae been more interesting if maybe the man fell in love before the execution. It also would have been better if at the end of the book, he actually wrote about the execution instead of just letting us hang, not knowing about what happens at his executon. The exection probably would have made the book alot more exciting too. So if I were you I probably wouldn't read the book unless you are into really wierd, boring books.

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Summary: Meursault is the 20th century Rorschach....
Review: Meursault is the 20th century Rorschach. We project onto Meursault all that we are. Only when we read the book a second time does Camus teach us the more valuable lesson: he teaches us about ourselves...

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Summary: The Stranger
Review: The Stranger is a very interesting story. It is also quite strange as are Camus' other books as I have heard. It was a great book to read. I personally thought that it was very good. Things just seem to happen that are unexpected. Mr. Antichrist, the main character isn't developed very deeply, but we, as the reader, know how he is feeling. We also learn about France more that 50 years ago. While reading the book I thought that it seemed like it took place in the present day, until the end. But the story relates very well to today.

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Summary: great in all its simplicity
Review: The stranger is a book made to be read more than once. Although it was written simply, the underlying substance is utterly compelling. Read it over once again and you'll see.

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Summary: An amazing piece of literature
Review: Camus is brilliant. I've read this book 4 times, and only after taking a course in existentialism have I realized it's full importance.

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Summary: In my book, not a classic, but not bad
Review: I, myself, did not like this book but I can see where others would. It's deep and thought provoking. However, I think people try to read a bit too much into it and it clouds a lot of the simplistic and obvious symbolism. It is not exactly edge of your seat. In fact, it's rather dull and predictable as a rising action/climax/resolution novel but it is quite philosophical.

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Summary: Dull and mediocre
Review: This is a tedious novel and a ten year old could easily digest any of the "ideas" which are in the novel. "Existentialism" is a word loved by mediocre readers and highschool teachers of literature, who quickly latch on to generic and common literary catchwords. The poor, pathetic and dated "existentialists" base a who literary school on an outlook that is a mere passing shade of thought to me. The writing style, which some call "stark" and "uncomprimising", is simply void of artistry, and highly unoriginal. People don't read books like this for the pleasure of an amazing story, or beautiful imagery, rather Camus is read by psuedo-intellectuals searching for a witty and stark outlook on life. Notice how nobody talks much about the story but rather "what Camus is trying to say". He is not saying much and I did not need this story to illustrate to me an outlook which I experienced as early as the age of 13. Also anyone can write about "big ideas" because they are simplistic and easily grasped by anyone. It takes a true artist however to create the magic of a mood, the enchantment of an image, reality of a gesture and on and on. Camus is no such artist and is hopelessly mediocre as a writer and thinker.

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Summary: Albert Camus paints a horrific existential painting.........
Review: Albert Camus paints a horrific existential painting into a young man's mind. Preliminary Suggestions: I suggest you get some cliffs notes on this book or any supplementary tutors or have a teacher guide you through the book so that you will not get lost. The symbolism on existential theory does get over some people's heads sometimes. I was extremly fortunate to have a good teacher guide me. This book begins with the funeral of Mersault's mother and his dreary world of nothingness. Throughout the book, Meursault lacks responsibility about his life. He is extremly lazy and he takes life on a primitive level. In the middle of the book, Meursault murders an Arab, which he casts the blame of the murder to the sun or the sand or anything he could blame it on. Meursault undergoes the trial which he is being charged with his philosophy of life and not the Murder of the Arab. The book begins with a death, in the middle there is a death and at the end there is a death. Albert Camus shares an interesting concept of Existentialism with thinkers like Jean-Paul Sartre. We all, as human beings, are doomed to be free. We have the freedom to choose our paths in life and we have the authority to change that at any stage of life. This is the common theme of the book.