Honestly, I don't understand this, but I've seen a little bit of a pattern in some books of a protagonist that is persecuted/oppressed by his surrounding enviroment and yet is incapable of empathy/remorse. This book is Absurdist which is, lol absurd. Its compelling, and interesting and one can (ironically) derive meaning from the story but I don't agree with the idea that no meaning exists because of the fact that many of us have emotions and many of those are also ruled by emotions (or behavioural responses based on emotions)...including pity, and compassion. Still, if you're feeling especially pessimistic about the cruelties of life the staunch apathy in which the main character looks at life (and also claims that the cosmos look at him with indifference) then its a comforting read in an odd way.
Camus is an existentialist writer if I am correct. I have bouts of depressive apathy bordering on existentialism. I never fully embrased existentialism. I really enjoyed reading Camus in my 20s though he is very dark in mood, and writes stories that go sort of like nothing really matters at all. It's all for nothing. I can't totally believe that in my heart. Very provacative literature for the thinking human.
I'd like to ask the OP what is so absurd about absurdism. what is (or could be) more abstract than "meaning"?
"The Stranger" is what the Cure's song "Killing an Arab" is about and based on. Just thought I'd throw that in, in relation to the book.
Hmm Camus isnt depressing just too political in that insular way where he is really only accessible to a French audience especially on the subject of Algeria, it was just a novelist hitting the french state in the nuts They say he was an existentialist but I think he was more of an appreciative audience to existentialists like sartre.
It's existential literature... The whole point is that "existence precedes essence" (to quote Sartre, Camus' good friend - sometimes, anyway). Which means that there is no ultimate goal for man. Hence what you call "depressing" - the book is on some level a response on how life doesn't have to exist full of angst.
Well, it's not my favourite book or anything, but I found it interesting because of its views...Mersaut really is extraordinary and unique character..
haven't read that one yet, but i cracked open The Rebel and it was alright from what i read. it's definitely one you'll probly want to read with a dictionary at your side...
Another book that I suggest that runs along the same line but takes a look at the idea of not "no meaning" but "too much meaning" or being "too different" is An Invitation to a Beheading by Vladimir Nabokov. After reading it, I felt compelled to go back and read The Stranger again.
I know I read that book a few years ago, but I remember absolutely nothing about it, except that it's set in France (I think). Strange eh.
I thought it was a good piece of writing until I got to the end, and it really let me down. It was like the build up suspense of a huge firework only to find out that the fuse stops burning and it turns out to be a dud. I tried to read the plague but just couldn't get into it.
