A review by cassbarker
The Stranger by Albert Camus

dark reflective fast-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? Yes

5.0

self-intuitive and reflective, this novel truly is a masterpiece, and so fucking clever. the apathy that the narrator carrie’s with him gives such an innately interesting air to the entire course of the novel - it is really one of those books that you sit and stare at the wall after you’ve read. there’s so much to be analysed and drawn from on the portrayal of existentialism through the lense of an absurdist writer, especially due to the perspective that the story is told! the pacing is great; the way it utilised this tension through it was so clever, camus is a master of his craft. my only quarm is in the moments that couldn’t quite find that balance between absurdist thought and the course of the plot, as some moments lacked the deeper element whilst others had too much, to the point where the book felt stuck in its place and didn’t progress. 

the style of writing is so intriguing to me. it feels so modern, yet the book itself was written 80 years ago, so i’m not sure if that is the result of translation or the genuine style that camus inbeds, as this is his first work i’ve read, however i will have a look at the original french version for insight :)

i also think that this is one of my favourite closing lines of a book, i audibly gasped as the phrase ended, so mind blowingly smart and reflective. i also relate to it in a really weird way that is super seperate from the philosophical purpose and prose, as an autistic person.  there are moments where i really relate to mersault, the almost separated feeling from your surroundings really resonated with me weirdly. 

def recommend, think it would have been a great text to fully analyse!
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