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khaufnaak's review against another edition
4.0
I have also heard this book referred to as “The Outsider”, both titles which are telling about the nature of the story. This is my first text of Camus’, I have not even read “The Myth of Sisyphus”, which is perhaps a blunder. I can’t quite make heads or tails of what he may have been trying to communicate with this tale. Or was it that there is no meaning behind it? Maybe this is one of those books I need to read again to have greater takeaways.
Something that did take me aback was the protagonist, Mereseault’s optics with women. Just seems kind of seedy and weird. In the beginning of the text he mentions helping a woman at the pool, and he mentions resting his hand on her breast a little long. I get that maybe social norms were a little different, but I’m just very weary surrounding men’s treatment of women. But apart from that, I was generally able to get along with the book.
The protagonist is at times quite remarkably dislikable, but also at time rather amiable. Computers are not around, but the rote nature of his life reminds me of the, go to work, come home and watch TV, or more presently, sit on Discord? Cycle of life. He’s a man not feeling necessitated to adhere to social norms. But I don’t know, something seems repressed about him. He seems wushu washy, as if a flood will float him away.
I liked this book for the ~vibes~. There is this entirely dreamy aesthetic, this warm, kind of intoxicating Summer’s day is often highlighted. (I have never been intoxicated in actuality.) The protagonist is quite apathetic, he seems kind of depressed. He reminds me of the protagonist from Ottessa Moshfegh’s “My Year of Rest and Relaxation.” Both characters go through an enlightening change in the end, but unlike Moshfegh’s ending, which disappointed me for not guiding us through it well enough, Camus did very well. It’s a little disorienting and maybe a smidge rushed, but you get to experience the almost maddening rush of change and enlightenment Mereseault goes through.
It’s like one of those weird stories they make you read in high school. It kind of shakes you, and you and your classmates reference it for the rest of your years together. But it doesn’t really mean that much. When the class quiz asks you what the “theme” of the story was, you get it wrong. I dunno.
Something that did take me aback was the protagonist, Mereseault’s optics with women. Just seems kind of seedy and weird. In the beginning of the text he mentions helping a woman at the pool, and he mentions resting his hand on her breast a little long. I get that maybe social norms were a little different, but I’m just very weary surrounding men’s treatment of women. But apart from that, I was generally able to get along with the book.
The protagonist is at times quite remarkably dislikable, but also at time rather amiable. Computers are not around, but the rote nature of his life reminds me of the, go to work, come home and watch TV, or more presently, sit on Discord? Cycle of life. He’s a man not feeling necessitated to adhere to social norms. But I don’t know, something seems repressed about him. He seems wushu washy, as if a flood will float him away.
I liked this book for the ~vibes~. There is this entirely dreamy aesthetic, this warm, kind of intoxicating Summer’s day is often highlighted. (I have never been intoxicated in actuality.) The protagonist is quite apathetic, he seems kind of depressed. He reminds me of the protagonist from Ottessa Moshfegh’s “My Year of Rest and Relaxation.” Both characters go through an enlightening change in the end, but unlike Moshfegh’s ending, which disappointed me for not guiding us through it well enough, Camus did very well. It’s a little disorienting and maybe a smidge rushed, but you get to experience the almost maddening rush of change and enlightenment Mereseault goes through.
It’s like one of those weird stories they make you read in high school. It kind of shakes you, and you and your classmates reference it for the rest of your years together. But it doesn’t really mean that much. When the class quiz asks you what the “theme” of the story was, you get it wrong. I dunno.
jess_mango's review against another edition
4.0
It's amazing how quickly you can get through audio books while you are working from home (thank you snow day)! That being said, this book was only 4 discs long with the actual novel only taking up the first 3...the final disc was notes, afterwards, commentary, etc.
I am glad I finally read "The Stranger". It seems like one of those books that so many people have read or that is often listed on lists of "most influential books".
I am glad I finally read "The Stranger". It seems like one of those books that so many people have read or that is often listed on lists of "most influential books".
aldole's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
cassiehelfer's review against another edition
challenging
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This was…interesting. I read it in 1.5 hours on a plane and need a second read. Some thoughts:
- Weird. Very weird. Odd story, short detached narrative style, felt like I was maybe tripping or sun dazed the entire time. But short! So a very palatable small dose of weird.
- Sad. I honestly felt like this guy either had a personality disorder (kinda like schizoid detached can’t form real relationships) or just had some trauma that really limited his social presence. And then he gets roped into the closest thing to friendship he has and ends up randomly killing someone.
- He grew to care more throughout the book. At first it seems like he truly cares about nothing including his mother dying (depression?) but then when faced with his own demise he is drawn into actual feeling and even loses control in an emotional rage at the end.
Honestly I am confused I need another read and maybe a high school english teacher who is way too into thematic elements.
- Weird. Very weird. Odd story, short detached narrative style, felt like I was maybe tripping or sun dazed the entire time. But short! So a very palatable small dose of weird.
- Sad. I honestly felt like this guy either had a personality disorder (kinda like schizoid detached can’t form real relationships) or just had some trauma that really limited his social presence. And then he gets roped into the closest thing to friendship he has and ends up randomly killing someone.
- He grew to care more throughout the book. At first it seems like he truly cares about nothing including his mother dying (depression?) but then when faced with his own demise he is drawn into actual feeling and even loses control in an emotional rage at the end.
Honestly I am confused I need another read and maybe a high school english teacher who is way too into thematic elements.
trishtalksbooks's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
medium-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
8797999's review against another edition
2.0
I must be reading a different book to others who have rated it. Couldn't get into this at all. Only plus for me is it was short.
miomood's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
3.5
fbroom's review against another edition
5.0
Strange. Raw. Intellectually Stimulating.
Do you really need a reason to do something?
Wikipedia:
In January 1955, Camus wrote: "I summarized The Stranger a long time ago, with a remark I admit was highly paradoxical: 'In our society any man who does not weep at his mother's funeral runs the risk of being sentenced to death.' I only meant that the hero of my book is condemned because he does not play the game."
Do you really need a reason to do something?
Wikipedia:
In January 1955, Camus wrote: "I summarized The Stranger a long time ago, with a remark I admit was highly paradoxical: 'In our society any man who does not weep at his mother's funeral runs the risk of being sentenced to death.' I only meant that the hero of my book is condemned because he does not play the game."