Scan barcode
booktok_hater's review against another edition
dark
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, and Medical content
Moderate: Mass/school shootings and Suicide
mcloonejack's review against another edition
4.0
Everyone who decided the start of the COVID-19 pandemic was a good time to read this classic is a masochist (it became a top-ten bestseller in Italy, and Penguin struggled to keep it in print, apparently), but at least they were reading a good book. I also appreciate *why* this would become so popular again, considering, as Camus’s daughter put it, that it can be interpreted with a message of “we are not responsible for coronavirus but we can be responsible in the way we respond to it.”
That said, it was startling to read a book this old that so perfectly reflected the days of COVID lockdowns, in a multitude of ways. I really appreciated the breadth of reactions Camus captures, from those stolid and determined to do their part regardless of personal difficulties (Rieux) to the conflicted who find purpose (Rambert) to opportunists who profiteer and find their own benefit (Cottard, Panaleoux to some degree). But even those with less-than-savory motives or stances are treated with grace, maybe in some instances more than they “deserve,” but in ways I think more people deserved in 2020 in particular.
The characters were also reliably fascinating, especially Tarrou, who in some ways serves as the moral center of this book. His explanation of his morals is one of the standout moments.
Overall this was a pretty gripping read, and me knocking a star off probably isn’t fair because it’s more of my dislike of books of this time period’s form, particularly the dry-yet-dense language in some portions.
God I’m happy I waited until 2023 to read this.
That said, it was startling to read a book this old that so perfectly reflected the days of COVID lockdowns, in a multitude of ways. I really appreciated the breadth of reactions Camus captures, from those stolid and determined to do their part regardless of personal difficulties (Rieux) to the conflicted who find purpose (Rambert) to opportunists who profiteer and find their own benefit (Cottard, Panaleoux to some degree). But even those with less-than-savory motives or stances are treated with grace, maybe in some instances more than they “deserve,” but in ways I think more people deserved in 2020 in particular.
The characters were also reliably fascinating, especially Tarrou, who in some ways serves as the moral center of this book. His explanation of his morals is one of the standout moments.
Overall this was a pretty gripping read, and me knocking a star off probably isn’t fair because it’s more of my dislike of books of this time period’s form, particularly the dry-yet-dense language in some portions.
God I’m happy I waited until 2023 to read this.
esztertth's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
The book works on many levels, as it is an allegory on how humans face their own mortality, but describes the mass mentality during the pandemic as well. It really took me back to 2020 and 2021 and made me wonder how I would have reacted if I had read this book back then.
I resonated with The Plague a lot more than with The Stranger, and made me excited to read more from Camus.
Its absurdist philosophy helped me to gain some perspective and get into a better headspace. While life does not have any meaning we still yearn to create or have a meaning of our own lives. And it's ok, we can just sit with this absurdity of searching for meaning in the meaninglessness. Just go on, keep moving forward in spite of this absurd, keep on fighting out of stubbornness.
I resonated with The Plague a lot more than with The Stranger, and made me excited to read more from Camus.
Its absurdist philosophy helped me to gain some perspective and get into a better headspace. While life does not have any meaning we still yearn to create or have a meaning of our own lives. And it's ok, we can just sit with this absurdity of searching for meaning in the meaninglessness. Just go on, keep moving forward in spite of this absurd, keep on fighting out of stubbornness.
applesodaperson's review against another edition
challenging
slow-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
3.5
This book was an interesting one. I liked it , but it also was kind of forgettable, and didn't make that much of an impact on me. It has a very interesting premise. Actually, the beginnings of the plague and the quarantine reminded me of a lot of covid, and all the emotions it makes people go through. Like the fatigue of healthcare workers, the effort to distract yourself from the situation, and the despair of people who become separated because of the quarantine. And of course the fear of death, and the fear that things are never going to get better, and the plague will last forever.
Honestly the worst part about this book were the characters. I honestly don't know why, but I had an extremely hard time remembering the characters and their names and who was who. Really the only person that stuck in my mind was the doctor, but even now I cannot for the life of me remember his name. I think one thing that contributed to this was the fact that basically every character and especially the main character, was a middle aged man. Yeah this book definitely does not pass that Bechtel test. But it also just led to the characters blurring together, especially with them all being in the same situation and physical location. It just wouldn't stick in my mind, even though this book is fairly long.
Overall, this book was good, and had some interesting philosophical thoughts about evil and sin. But it just ended up not catching my attention very well, and feeling forgettable.
Honestly the worst part about this book were the characters. I honestly don't know why, but I had an extremely hard time remembering the characters and their names and who was who. Really the only person that stuck in my mind was the doctor, but even now I cannot for the life of me remember his name. I think one thing that contributed to this was the fact that basically every character and especially the main character, was a middle aged man. Yeah this book definitely does not pass that Bechtel test. But it also just led to the characters blurring together, especially with them all being in the same situation and physical location. It just wouldn't stick in my mind, even though this book is fairly long.
Overall, this book was good, and had some interesting philosophical thoughts about evil and sin. But it just ended up not catching my attention very well, and feeling forgettable.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Animal death
clem11's review against another edition
challenging
dark
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
klain's review against another edition
dark
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
3.25
sophiebernhard's review against another edition
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
frankieatthedisco's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
calannansi's review against another edition
4.0
Full of longing, miserable but also lovely with human connection, meditations on illness and the sick role, is it noble to care in times of trouble or is it selfish to focus on yourself? love the writing