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desiderium_incarnate's review against another edition
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
"Well, so I'm going to die." Sooner than other people will, obviously. But everybody knows life isn't worth living. Deep down I knew perfectly well that it doesn't much matter whether you die at thirty or at seventy, since in either case other men and women will naturally go on living - and for thousands of years. In fact, nothing could be clearer.
This book is really easy to read, which was the reason it got even 3 stars from me. I don't know why it won a Nobel Prize in Literature to be perfectly honest. Because basically these are the main points of the story:
- Meursaults mom dies
- He has/shows nearly no emotions during the whole book which makes it pretty boring character wise
- He is convinced nothing matters (out of a very egoistical reasoning it seems)
Because of this he has no trouble making friends with pretty unkind, mysoginistic people and partly supports them in hurting others Then he gets a sunstroke and shoots someone He is tried and found guilty and will be beheaded
I just think that if nothing matters, or at least things only matter if you attribute them meaning, why do you choose to be a dick? Kindness and empathy are real, other people have feelings, why not choose to be kind? I expected to read a different, absurdist take on 'Life is meaningless' but once again I only found sexist, racist and violent men being nihilistic. Great!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Confinement, Murder, Sexism, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Racism, Violence, Animal cruelty, and Death
e_milyking's review against another edition
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Existentialism and absurdity as philosophical constructs demonstrated through a novel. Split into two parts, and written very directly. Follows the main character and their relationship with society. Plays out what optimistic pessimism might look like. I enjoyed the commentary offered about societal norms and the influence these have on justice outcomes - makes the reader consider the construct of justice
Content Warnings
Minor: Domestic abuse and Sexual assault
alyssapusateri's review against another edition
dark
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Murder, Death, Domestic abuse, and Death of parent
Moderate: Racism, Injury/Injury detail, Confinement, Gun violence, and Violence
Minor: Alcohol
happyknitter2020's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Such a tragic little book. If only they had understand that he had autism he could have been supported.
An isolated man's life...his mother dies, a girl wants to marry him within days, his neighbour abusing his dog, his friend beung abusive, violent and exploiting women & them the pressure of it all building in his head, his lack of understanding & the intens sun, the heat...led him to shoot a gun & kill a man he had never met before on a beach.
No wonder he didn't understand why...
Some of the sentences in the following chapters are stunning. The way his mind manages being in Prison, the Court proceedings & the sentence passed...utterly tragic, will stay with me for a long time.
Glad I have found Camus, will read more of his books.
An isolated man's life...his mother dies, a girl wants to marry him within days, his neighbour abusing his dog, his friend beung abusive, violent and exploiting women & them the pressure of it all building in his head, his lack of understanding & the intens sun, the heat...led him to shoot a gun & kill a man he had never met before on a beach.
No wonder he didn't understand why...
Some of the sentences in the following chapters are stunning. The way his mind manages being in Prison, the Court proceedings & the sentence passed...utterly tragic, will stay with me for a long time.
Glad I have found Camus, will read more of his books.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Animal cruelty, Murder, Death, Domestic abuse, Sexism, Sexual violence, Toxic friendship, Grief, Misogyny, Toxic relationship, and Violence
porridgegobbler's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Wow that was a roller-coaster.
My initial thoughts are that it's morbid and depressing, but I can understand the points being made. A very quick read that packs a big punch to your sense of self and spikes your fear of death. I found the writing style and sentence structure really interesting, I've never read something quite like it. I didn't enjoy this per say, I was gripped, the themes were both upsetting and thought-provoking.
I was not a fan of the misogynistic and racist parts of this book, though I understand this was of a certain era and perhaps aided the overall absurdist message of the book. However those moments partially lessened my opinion and intrigue in this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Misogyny, Domestic abuse, and Racial slurs
izzyreading's review against another edition
dark
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Made me feel an intense sadness and hopelessness after i finished reading it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Animal cruelty, Domestic abuse, Death of parent, Misogyny, Sexism, Death, and Murder
Moderate: Violence, Toxic relationship, Confinement, and Gun violence
Minor: Xenophobia and Grief
cami_y's review against another edition
dark
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Racism, Domestic abuse, and Rape
tieflingmom's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Death of parent, Gun violence, Animal cruelty, and Domestic abuse
richa_singh's review against another edition
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Could not really understand the MC's motivations for his actions. Although I do understand that the autho seeks to include elements of absurdism and existentialism in hos text, making the main character take a man's life for no rhyme or reason seems rather bizarre. Expected something a bit different. A person does not have to be an apathetic murderer (that too for no reason) to be the exemplar of such isms. His personality was rather peculiar, and he took accountability for almost none of his actions.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Death of parent, Islamophobia, Domestic abuse, Misogyny, and Racial slurs
Moderate: Xenophobia