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em_546 's review for:
The Stranger
by Albert Camus
challenging
dark
reflective
medium-paced
As it relates to philosophical absurdism, I enjoy Camus’ assertion that if life is meaningless and the world has gentle indifference to human beings, then we are free. I find no sense in nihilism - absurdism is one somewhat appealing alternative.
At the same time, the narrative itself appeals to me very little. The first 90% of the book shows a man more moved by a towel roller than grief, cruelty, or love. As many white-male classics do, the three named female characters exist as either maternal or sexual creatures, with no discernible personality beyond their affection (or lack thereof) for the narrator. “Breasts” are described in fair detail at least twice. Until the last 10% of the book, I can’t discern The Stranger from any other white-male classic in terms of content or quality. That said, I did enjoy the last 10% and the post-reading reflection of what Camus was trying to show philosophically.
At the same time, the narrative itself appeals to me very little. The first 90% of the book shows a man more moved by a towel roller than grief, cruelty, or love. As many white-male classics do, the three named female characters exist as either maternal or sexual creatures, with no discernible personality beyond their affection (or lack thereof) for the narrator. “Breasts” are described in fair detail at least twice. Until the last 10% of the book, I can’t discern The Stranger from any other white-male classic in terms of content or quality. That said, I did enjoy the last 10% and the post-reading reflection of what Camus was trying to show philosophically.