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gvstyris's review against another edition
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I said that people never change their lives, that in any case one life was as good as another and that I wasn't dissatisfied with mine here at all.
Although the perspective Camus presents in The Stranger is painfully male, I definitely found some validation and self-awareness in its oppressive atmosphere and robotic prose. Not a particularly enjoyable read, honestly, but it's encouraged me to research absurdism if nothing else.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder, Physical abuse, and Domestic abuse
Minor: Death of parent and Forced institutionalization
jessica_rva's review against another edition
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse and Misogyny
Moderate: Racism, Ableism, Sexism, and Animal cruelty
alterdd's review against another edition
dark
emotional
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
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder
Minor: Domestic abuse
omg_pear's review against another edition
funny
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Im so confused but i also understand it all. Philosophy amirite?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder and Domestic abuse
afonsob's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Of course, Camus was a philosopher who developed the existentialist branch of absurdism, in which life is viewed as meaningless, but - as far as I understand it - not necessarily in a despairing manner like nihilism sees it. In absurdism, the meaninglessness of life is a blank canvas where a person, not having chosen to be born, can enact their free will to choose what meaning their life should have and what in their life should give it meaning. The magic of this book lies in conveying that philosophy (more explicitly in the final chapter); but also in the book itself being a blank canvas where each reader can paint their own interpretation of what is happening in/with Meaursault (the main character), and what the plot is ultimately about. Just read other people’s reviews: some see in this book a statement about not conforming to social norms; some see in it a prescient exploration of neurodivergence; some see a conversation about grief and what is the “correct” way to express it; some take from the book a commentary on race, colonialism and jurisprudence. It might seem like the book tries to cover too much in too few pages, but perhaps that is the point: existentialism, after all, is about existence itself and the conscious experience of being a person - what part of life isn’t affected by that?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse and Antisemitism
Moderate: Xenophobia and Murder
readingwithgoose's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Much to think about.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Murder and Death of parent
Minor: Sexual content
jorgeisz's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder, Violence, and Domestic abuse
mushasha's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
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
2.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Domestic abuse, Animal cruelty, Murder, Violence, Gun violence, and Religious bigotry
bet137's review against another edition
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Domestic abuse
Minor: Sexual violence
kajasversion's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I really enjoyed it, I thought it was a perfect reflection of Camus’ philosophy. It’s definitely a book that makes you think after you’ve finished and I was able to connect with the views of the main character. Over sll i liked it a lot, I found it to be very entertaining and accessible.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Murder, Sexism, and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Death of parent