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cfrench575's review against another edition
3.0
Surely there is a middle-ground between being able to completely control your life and having no control whatsoever? Meursault is a maddeningly passive protagonist, but the juxtaposition of him and the rest of society is thought-provoking enough.
jsloane4's review against another edition
5.0
Wow, great read! I had read double indemnity by James Cain earlier and that was a nice pairing. I also thought of Pierre by Sendak funny enough. I think this book is more interesting since we wonder what the protagonist stands for, the central mystery of the book. And is this answered in a categorical way or just as the situation arises? Or even just momentarily? There is a logic but no passion other than perhaps fir his girlfriend.
mad_mattie's review against another edition
5.0
I've been told to read this book for years, but every time I tried to read it, I just felt like it was torturously boring and my eyes just gave up. Despite people reassuring me it would be worth it, I just kept putting it off. Finally, I decided to give it another chance, but this time try it on audiobook and over a short road trip, so that I just "get past the agony."
I am so glad that I did, because it was worth it and it was necessary in order to achieve an even greater agony within my soul. One that ponders life and justice.
Of more interest to me was that I read this book right on the heels of a book about autism spectrum disorder and wow did that author's inner monologue descriptions and explanations sound just like Meursault's. ASD wasn't in the popular lexicon until around the 1980s, therefore as a reader in the 21st century I'm adding that layer of tragedy in the judicial system. But I think that lens, regardless of whether intentional by Camus, really made this story so much more frustrating.
I am so glad that I did, because it was worth it and it was necessary in order to achieve an even greater agony within my soul. One that ponders life and justice.
Of more interest to me was that I read this book right on the heels of a book about autism spectrum disorder and wow did that author's inner monologue descriptions and explanations sound just like Meursault's. ASD wasn't in the popular lexicon until around the 1980s, therefore as a reader in the 21st century I'm adding that layer of tragedy in the judicial system. But I think that lens, regardless of whether intentional by Camus, really made this story so much more frustrating.
mayhbee's review against another edition
dark
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
solitaireclaire's review against another edition
dark
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder
weedle's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
vallettadays's review against another edition
5.0
If one could shoot or not shoot the Arab, one will probably shoot the Arab.