Reviews - Rutto | The StoryGraph

4.46k reviews for:

Rutto

Albert Camus

3.92 AVERAGE

claireguyatt's review against another edition

3.75

challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

This is a very beautiful book, it’s flaw being that it is at times equally as boring. Mainly in the middle. It is Camus’ contemplation on life itself and how people live it; the novel was made more interesting with a knowledge of the author’s personal philosophy. Not an easy read, but a worthwhile one. It felt a bit like a cross between Ray Bradbury and Kafka, and besides those authors, it also reminded of the plague we all endured just a short couple of years ago - this ongoing reminder also made it a more interesting read, inspiring reflections throughout.

wraithlike's review against another edition

2.5

dark slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

mgnraisin's review against another edition

3.75

challenging dark reflective sad tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

nolanjj's review against another edition

5.0

inspiring mysterious fast-paced

tommyc's review against another edition

5.0

The Plague was wonderfully written and ought to be read by more folks during our current pandemic! Camus delivered myriad insights into the human condition that'd be wonderfully salient even outside our current situation. So much of what our society has dealt with closely mirrors the actions Camus describes. However, reading through how the citizens of Oran dealt with the plague has made me ever-so more grateful for technology that allows us to connect with those that are physically separated.

I was constantly pleased at the character development that Camus served us. The story-telling style was also refreshing. As an aside, I also liked that Camus reminded us of who a specific character was (because I sometimes forget someone's background).

The ending was sad, but made for excellent literature. Life ain't easy, but The Plague provides wonderful insights to those of us who aim to experience the breadth of the human experience.

There were multiple passages that moved me deeply, but I'll summarize one below,from page 210:
""For nothing in the world is it worth turning one's
back on what one loves. Yet that is what I'm doing... a man can't cure and know at the same time. So let's cure as quickly as we can. That's the more urgent job.""