73 pages 2 hours read

Albert Camus

The Stranger

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1942

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

In Albert Camus's The Stranger, Meursault, a young man in Algiers, learns of his mother's death and displays emotional detachment. He reconnects with a former coworker, Marie, and becomes involved with his neighbor Raymond's conflicts. Ultimately, Meursault's indifferent attitude leads to him committing an impulsive crime and facing a trial where his lack of conventional emotions results in a death sentence. The book contains sensitive topics such as death and violence.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

Albert Camus's The Stranger is largely praised for its compelling exploration of existentialism and absurdism, with strikingly detached prose that enhances its philosophical themes. Critics appreciate the novel's deep contemplation of meaning and morality. However, some find the protagonist's emotional detachment and minimalistic style off-putting and alienating. Overall, the novel remains a seminal work in existential literature.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Stranger?

A reader who enjoys existential and philosophical literature, and themes exploring the absurdity of life, would be captivated by Albert Camus's The Stranger. Fans of Franz Kafka's The Metamorphosis and Jean-Paul Sartre's Nausea will find the novel's introspective and thought-provoking nature particularly appealing.

Recommended

Reading Age

18+years

Book Details

Genre

Classic Fiction

Mystery / Crime Fiction

French Literature

Topics

Philosophy

Relationships

Race / Racism

Period

Absurdism

Themes

Values/Ideas: Good & Evil

Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality

Society: Colonialism