141 reviews for:

The First Man

Albert Camus

3.84 AVERAGE

mark_lm's review against another edition

5.0

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exquisite.(10)

joshperna's review against another edition

2.0

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”The sea was gentle and warm, the sun fell lightly on their soaked heads, and the glory of the light filled their young bodies with a joy that made them cry out incessantly. They reigned over life and over the sea, and, like nobles certain that their riches were limitless, they needlessly consumed the most gorgeous of this world’s offerings.”

A gentle, nostalgic, slowly ambling book that I just don’t have the patience for right now. Camus’ reflection on his life and childhood, too meandering and uneventful for me at this time. Has that certain dryness that comes with foreign books translated to English. Seems nice, though.

sophie_readsss's review against another edition

4.5

challenging dark inspiring reflective slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

joyfayrweather's review against another edition

3.75

challenging dark 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: No

joaoheredia_colaco's review against another edition

3.75

inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

silverthane's review against another edition

3.75

adventurous challenging hopeful reflective sad slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

adamdesalle's review against another edition

3.75

challenging emotional funny hopeful informative reflective sad slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

izzyniccraith's review against another edition

4.0

mysterious reflective medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: N/A

Loveable characters: Yes

crimsonfloyd's review against another edition

4.25

challenging emotional reflective slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

jasmien_pdf's review against another edition

4.0

reflective medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

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I enjoyed this much more than I expected. I think knowing that this is Camus’ unfinished work made me apprehensive to start but right from the beginning it hooked me in. The plot is lacking, you can tell he wanted to do a lot more with it but the base is there. The descriptions of his childhood, seriously good. Reading his notes at the end made me wish he got to finish this novel. I think the inclusion of the mothers perspective would have added that extra layer the novel needed to really elevate it. Nonetheless, I always enjoy Camus. Will be looking into more of his work, especially interested in his political views, which you could tell he set up the foundation for, but never truly developed.

“And what he wanted most in the world, which was for his mother to read everything that was his life and his being, that was impossible. His love, his only love, would be forever speechless.” - chills every time…