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A review by theeditorreads
The Fall by Albert Camus
4.0
This is an unusual book, so how can the review be as usual. It seems only yesterday that I finished reading The Plague, such is the impact of Camus’ writing. It stays with you long after you have closed the book. The New York Times described The Fall as an irresistibly brilliant examination of modern conscience. And I also felt exactly that, as I read it. It made me go deep within me, questioning myself and other things. Though Camus’ writing is nothing if not with a touch of absurdism.
Narrated in the first-person by a judge-penitent who goes by the name of Jean-Baptiste Clamence, it starts in an innocuous manner in a bar in Amsterdam. A bar which has an outlandish name – Mexico City. Jean seems to be a regular there and one fine day he starts chatting up with a stranger. Now, it is not exactly a chat since the dialogue goes only one way. As in, Clamence speaks for not only himself but the unnamed/unidentified till the very end listener as well.
Clamence recognises the unnamed listener as a Sadducee, among other personas, something he says he too was once. He starts by further describing his holier than thou life both as a person and as a judge penitent. In spite of the mistakes he thinks he made in life, he’s always tried to remain Mr Congenial.
Clamence’s monologue contains the gospel of life. It describes his rise and subsequent fall from the highest point he had achieved. He comes out as a paragon of virtue, even though he is extremely humble about it all. Then there were the historical and biblical parts, some of which I couldn’t relate to.
To sum up, it is a book I would definitely recommend reading, In fact, all of Camus’ works should be read. At least once in your life. But, like the existentialist philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre said about The Fall being the most beautiful yet the least understood of Camus’ books, all I can say is that maybe this was not the right time for me to read it. I will try again after gaining more experiences in this world.
Books Mentioned:
[b:A Hero of Our Time|226378|A Hero of Our Time|Mikhail Lermontov|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1344023178l/226378._SY75_.jpg|166902] by Mikhail Lermontov
The other books that I have read by Camus are:
The Outsider
The Plague
Originally posted on:
Shaina's Musings
Narrated in the first-person by a judge-penitent who goes by the name of Jean-Baptiste Clamence, it starts in an innocuous manner in a bar in Amsterdam. A bar which has an outlandish name – Mexico City. Jean seems to be a regular there and one fine day he starts chatting up with a stranger. Now, it is not exactly a chat since the dialogue goes only one way. As in, Clamence speaks for not only himself but the unnamed/unidentified till the very end listener as well.
It always seemed to me that our fellow citizens had two passions: ideas and fornication.
Clamence recognises the unnamed listener as a Sadducee, among other personas, something he says he too was once. He starts by further describing his holier than thou life both as a person and as a judge penitent. In spite of the mistakes he thinks he made in life, he’s always tried to remain Mr Congenial.
Clamence’s monologue contains the gospel of life. It describes his rise and subsequent fall from the highest point he had achieved. He comes out as a paragon of virtue, even though he is extremely humble about it all. Then there were the historical and biblical parts, some of which I couldn’t relate to.
As it is not so easy as the detective novels might lead one to believe, one generally relies on politics and joins the cruellest party.
To sum up, it is a book I would definitely recommend reading, In fact, all of Camus’ works should be read. At least once in your life. But, like the existentialist philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre said about The Fall being the most beautiful yet the least understood of Camus’ books, all I can say is that maybe this was not the right time for me to read it. I will try again after gaining more experiences in this world.
Books Mentioned:
[b:A Hero of Our Time|226378|A Hero of Our Time|Mikhail Lermontov|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1344023178l/226378._SY75_.jpg|166902] by Mikhail Lermontov
The other books that I have read by Camus are:
The Outsider
The Plague
Originally posted on:
Shaina's Musings