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7_nicole_7's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
3.0
Honestly, I think the book itself was good but it was just not what I expected. "One has to imagine Sisyphus happy" is a great statement, which might even inspire hope in some of us, yet I really wish there was more to it than simply that. Otherwise it was extremely well written and it was certainly interesting.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, and Suicide
Minor: Incest and Classism
anka_not_anchor's review against another edition
challenging
dark
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
camus, camus, camus
i love a good existential crisis
i love a good existential crisis
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Suicide, and Suicide attempt
alexander_'s review against another edition
challenging
dark
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
4.75
Earlier this year, I read The Stranger by Albert Camus, and I was taken with the writing style and the subtle yet unapologetic thesis-like storytelling. Naturally, when I learned that this essay was, in some ways, the backbone to the rest of his writing, I had to read it.
While I won't say my (predominantly positive) thoughts on absurdism, I will say that I loved The Myth of Sisyphus for what it was. The caveat in that sentence might seem a bit absurd, but I'll explain that in just a bit.
Before I picked up "Mythyphus," I hadn't read much about it, and I thought that I would be able to knock it out in an afternoon. I was wrong, and it wasn't just because I had to pull out my dictionary app every few pages. This essay needs to be read slowly. At some points, I spent 30 minutes on just ten pages to grapple with what Camus was conveying. The book is as heavy as a stone (pun intended), and it deserves the time it takes to carry it to the top.
But beyond its philosophical complexities, the writing is beautiful. Camus makes the reader stop and appreciate his well-crafted, valuable sentences. No words are wasted, and it almost makes you want to read slowly.
Almost.
To explain my absurd statement from earlier, I admit that the process of reading this wasn't the most enjoyable experience. It's challenging and frustrating, and to be honest, I got tired of researching Don Quixote and Søren Kierkegaard all the time. That said, the effort spent researching was well worth it, and someone with more (or any) philosophical education wouldn't have my problem.
In the appendix of my edition, Camus says Kafka writes to be reread, and the same is true for Mythyphus. Personally, before my reread, I need to spend time studying basic philosophy so that I can truly appreciate Camus' writing. I plan to give this essay a second look when I do, though I wouldn't be surprised if I found myself opening the book and sharing it with others before then.
While I won't say my (predominantly positive) thoughts on absurdism, I will say that I loved The Myth of Sisyphus for what it was. The caveat in that sentence might seem a bit absurd, but I'll explain that in just a bit.
Before I picked up "Mythyphus," I hadn't read much about it, and I thought that I would be able to knock it out in an afternoon. I was wrong, and it wasn't just because I had to pull out my dictionary app every few pages. This essay needs to be read slowly. At some points, I spent 30 minutes on just ten pages to grapple with what Camus was conveying. The book is as heavy as a stone (pun intended), and it deserves the time it takes to carry it to the top.
But beyond its philosophical complexities, the writing is beautiful. Camus makes the reader stop and appreciate his well-crafted, valuable sentences. No words are wasted, and it almost makes you want to read slowly.
Almost.
To explain my absurd statement from earlier, I admit that the process of reading this wasn't the most enjoyable experience. It's challenging and frustrating, and to be honest, I got tired of researching Don Quixote and Søren Kierkegaard all the time. That said, the effort spent researching was well worth it, and someone with more (or any) philosophical education wouldn't have my problem.
In the appendix of my edition, Camus says Kafka writes to be reread, and the same is true for Mythyphus. Personally, before my reread, I need to spend time studying basic philosophy so that I can truly appreciate Camus' writing. I plan to give this essay a second look when I do, though I wouldn't be surprised if I found myself opening the book and sharing it with others before then.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts and Suicide
Moderate: Mental illness and Suicide attempt
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