Albert Camus

'The sky seemed to rip apart from end to end to pour fire down upon me' Meursault will not conform. When his mother dies, he refuses to show his emotions simply to satisfy the expectations of others. And when he commits a random act of violence on a sun-drenched beach, his lack of remorse only compounds his guilt in the eyes of society and the law. Albert Camus' portrayal of a man confronting the absurdity of human life became a classic. Yet it is also a book filled with quiet joy in the physical world, and this new translation sensitively renders the subtleties and dreamlike atmosphere of The Outsider. A new translation by Sandra Smith

The Outsider

Lo straniero

Zamu

Poi siamo rimasti un momento a fumare senza dir nulla. Fuori tutto era calmo e abbiammo udito il fruscio di una macchina che passava. Ho detto: «È tardi».

Through the story of an ordinary man unwittingly drawn into a senseless murder on an Algerian beach, Camus explored what he termed "the nakedness of man faced with the absurd." First published in 1946; now in a new translation by Matthew Ward.

The Stranger

Mdy<3

"I had only a little time left and I didn't want to waste it on God."

"I had been right, i was still right, i was always right."

"After awhile you could get used to anything."

The bizarre opening lines of this novel. Immediately we notice that Mersault is emotionally detached and indifferent when it comes to others and he is difficult to categorize as a person.

Dingdong 

Maman died today. Or yesterday maybe, I don’t know. I got a telegram from the home: “Mother deceased. Funeral tomorrow. Faithfully yours.” That doesn’t mean anything. Maybe it was yesterday.

🏹

I had been right, I was still right, I was always right. I had lived my life one way and I could just as well have lived it another. I had done this and I hadn’t done that. I hadn’t done this thing but I had done another. And so? It was as if I had waited all this time for this moment and for the first light of this dawn to be vindicated. Nothing, nothing mattered, and I knew why.

Kat 

Couldn’t he see, couldn’t he see that? Everybody was privileged. There were only privileged people. The other would all be condemned one day  and he would be condemned too. 

What would it matter if he were accused of murder and then executed because he didn’t cry at his mother’s funeral? 

tianna

For everything to be consummated, for me to feel less alone, I had only to wish that there be a large crowd of spectators the day of my execution and and that they greet me with cries of hate.

Sounds of the countryside were drifting in. Smells of night, earth, and salt air were cooling my temples. The wondrous peace of that sleeping summer flowed through me like a tide. 

bella <3

at the time, i often thought that if i had to live in the trunk of a dead tree, with nothing to do but look up at the sky flowering overhead, little by little i would have gotten used to it. 

I was absorbed by the feeling that the sun was doing me a lot of good. 

juana de arco si estuviera cronicamente online

“I laid my heart open to the gentle indifference of the universe“

sheera ⁠✷

For the first time, perhaps, I seriously considered the possibility of my marrying her.

Minsho Limbu

surtified™

And I felt ready to live it all again too. As if that blind rage had washed me clean, rid me of hope; for the first time, in that night alive with signs and stars, I opened myself to the gentle indifference of the world.

What would it matter if he were accused of murder and then executed because he didn’t cry at his mother’s funeral?

ngl, everything that's happened to him is actually good for him, he lowkey went from no emotion, no reaction, no nothing, to emotive and expressive. chances are it'll soften the heart. 

Then, I don’t know why, but something inside me snapped. I started yelling at the top of my lungs, and I insulted him and told him not to waste his prayers on me. I grabbed him by the collar of his cassock. I was pouring out on him everything that was in my heart, cries of anger and cries of joy

“No, I refuse to believe you! I know that at one time or another you’ve wished for another life.” I said of course I had, but it didn’t mean any more than wishing to be rich, to be able to swim faster, or to have a more nicely shaped mouth

But the face I was looking for was as bright as the sun and the flame of desire—and it belonged to Marie.

No offense but he's carrying no burden at all.

He was expressing his certainty that my appeal would be granted, but I was carrying the burden of a sin from which I had to free myself

Deep down I knew perfectly well that it doesn’t much matter whether you die at thirty or at seventy, since in either case other men and women will naturally go on living—and for thousands of years. In fact, nothing could be clearer. Whether it was now or twenty years from now, I would still be the one dying. At that point, what would disturb my train of thought was the terrifying leap I would feel my heart take at the idea of having twenty more years of life ahead of me. But I simply had to stifle it by imagining what I’d be thinking in twenty years when it would all come down to the same thing anyway. Since we’re all going to die, it’s obvious that when and how don’t matter. Therefore (and the difficult thing was not to lose sight of all the reasoning that went into this “therefore”), I had to accept the rejection of my appeal

Girl. Stop. I think you might lowkey be better off not living. 

I would always begin by assuming the worst: my appeal was denied. “Well, so I’m going to die.” Sooner than other people will, obviously. But everybody knows life isn’t worth living.

 Maman used to say that you can always find something to be happy about.

i’ve read it in one go while i was going on the train.. and it got me chocked..

Vasilisa

Always a pleasure getting a peak into the mind of Camus. I’ve been on an existentialism kick recently and this books was so deeply engaging for me. Seeing the nobel laureate tackle this philosophical question of murder head on with such precision in his language was really entrancing. Camus style is so beautiful I could only wish for my writing to be so thoughtful and poignant. 

Willow Beller

Lindy

Protagonist's personality was akin to antisocial personality disorder

Erica England 

Meh. 

Forgettable;

Lacked any real substance. .

Protagonist's personality was akin to antisocial personality disorder(ASPD).

I don't want to like this book because the story is so low effort and dry, but damn the message is so profound and powerful that I can't help but to eternally love this book.

catto fishu

Me dejó confundida y perdida y él era muy real

Meursault, ein kleiner Beamter in Algier, führt ein Dasein, das sich in nichts von dem seiner Mitmenschen unterscheidet. Bis er eines Nachmittags ohne ersichtlichen Grund einen Menschen tötet. (Orig. Ausg.: 1942).

Roman

Der Fremde

würde für die erste Hälfte 3 und die zweite Hälfte 4 Sterne geben 

Cristina

In The Outsider, Camus explores the alienation of an individual who refuses to conform to social norms. Meursault, his anti-hero, will not lie. When his mother dies, he refuses to show his emotions simply to satisfy the expectations of others. And when he commits a random act of violence on a sun-drenched beach near Algiers, his lack of remorse compounds his guilt in the eyes of society and the law. Yet he is as much a victim as a criminal.

Despite being a man who is indifferent to everything that surrounds him, I found Mersault to be very alive. Even in his mundanity, his views are very out of the ordinary- detached, even. He is unapologetically himself, and does not try to conform to what society wants from him, nor does he find any appeal in the idea. 

While it is easy to take away from this book that life is meaningless and that nothing you do holds any importance, I do not believe this is what Camus is promoting. Over and over again i would ask myself, "what is the point?" and I think that is, ultimately, the point. To ask these questions is part of life. Our stories and experiences are not something to be handed to us, but something we must make for ourselves. Even the smallest of moments are important, the good and the bad alike. Despite there being this sense of looming dread throughout the book, that one day everything will end and nothing matters after all, there were glimpses in between that make you realise that every action is important- everyone has an impact in the world somehow. 

I also think it is important to note that this translation was beautiful. Smith said in her note at the beginning that she had used Camus' recording of himself reading it as inspiration for how to translate Mersault's character into English, and I think she has done a fantastic job in doing so. 

Overall I found this book to be very beautiful, even despite its dull nature, and oddly reflective for myself. For lack of a better description, I think this story is like marmite. Either you will love it or hate it, and either way, you will take something away from what you have read. 

iris may

Despite being a man who is indifferent to everything that surrounds him, I found Mersault to be very alive. Even in his mundanity, his views are very out of the ordinary- detached, even. He is unapologetically himself, and does not try to conform to what society wants from him, nor does he find any appeal in the idea. 

While it is easy to take away from this book that life is meaningless and that nothing you do holds any importance, I do not believe this is what Camus is promoting. Over and over again i would ask myself, "what is the point?" and I think that is, ultimately, the point. To ask these questions is part of life. Our stories and experiences are not something to be handed to us, but something we must make for ourselves. Even the smallest of moments are important, the good and the bad alike. Despite there being this sense of looming dread throughout the book, that one day everything will end and nothing matters after all, there were glimpses in between that make you realise that every action is important- everyone has an impact in the world somehow. 

I even had the impression that this dead woman, stretched out in front of them, meant nothing to them. But now . . . I think I was wrong about that. (pg. 10)

They were shouting and singing at the top of their lungs – their club would go on forever. (pg. 21)

But that face glowed with the colour of the sun and the flame of desire: it was Marie's face. (pg. 107)

I also think it is important to note that this translation was beautiful. Smith said in her note at the beginning that she had used Camus' recording of himself reading it as inspiration for how to translate Mersault's character into English, and I think she has done a fantastic job in doing so. 

Overall I found this book to be very beautiful, even despite its dull nature, and oddly reflective for myself. For lack of a better description, I think this story is like marmite. Either you will love it or hate it, and either way, you will take something away from what you have read. 




I love Albert Camus, this one of his best works

ラップの神 del ray🗡🐸

Daniel U

This book left me feeling confused and lost; I believe that is what Camus intended. 

To rationalize Mersault’s actions, to judge him - whether we believe he is guilty or not - is inherent to human nature and against absurdism in the way I see it intended. 

The Outsider means nothing, but in doing so it means everything , it defines life in such a clever - stupid - way it makes the book a masterpiece of literature, forever to be unique in its meaning (sometimes I feel the true understanding of the book is the not understanding, but that is somehow beyond human comprehension, beyond my own comprehension). Camus’ genius is unmatched.

διόνυσος.

This book left me feeling confused and lost; I believe that is what Camus intended. 

To rationalize Mersault’s actions, to judge him - whether we believe he is guilty or not - is inherent to human nature and against absurdism in the way I see it intended. 

The Outsider means nothing, but in doing so it means everything , it defines life in such a clever - stupid - way it makes the book a masterpiece of literature, forever to be unique in its meaning (sometimes I feel the true understanding of the book is the not understanding, but that is somehow beyond human comprehension, beyond my own comprehension). Camus’ genius is unmatched.

The famous lines introducing Meursault's mother open the novel. He is not sure whether she had died today or yesterday since the telegram was not specific. Furthermore he does not really think it matters. He asks for two days off and takes the bus to the home he had put his mother in when he could no longer afford to take care of her. He sleeps on the way there. At the home, Meursault meets the director and the caretaker and is taken to see his mother. He chooses not to look at her and sits by her side as friends come to mourn during the night. He chats with the caretaker, naps, smokes, and has some coffee. In the morning, the funeral procession walks the hour into town for the ceremony. The sun is scorching and Meursault feels more oppressed by the heat than sad over his mother's death. Her fiancé Thomas Pérez however is in tears and must struggle to keep up by taking shortcuts. After the funeral, Meursault catches the bus home and looks forward to sleeping twelve hours.He wakes up the next day and realizes that it is a weekend and is not surprised his boss was annoyed. He gets up late and then decides to go to the beach where he loves to swim. Once there he sees a woman he used to be attracted to at work, Marie Cardona. They are instantly attracted and agree to see a movie later that night. Marie is surprised to hear that Meursault's mother died only yesterday. That night they see a comedy and go back to Meursault's. She is gone the next morning before Meursault gets up. He remembers that he hates Sundays because they are boring so he takes a nap. Finally he gets up, makes lunch and settles on the balcony to watch people pass. Different crowds move by throughout the day including families, soccer fans, and moviegoers. He eats dinner standing up, watches some more, and then moves inside when it gets colder and darker.

(Annotated Edition)

Hahaha but seriously I feel like that was used to describe his emotions since he doesn't have feelings. He just doesn't have any motivation to do anything. The very definition of a chill guy but the last pages did hit him. That's why the title is the stranger since he's not like other people (not like other boys?!) but he's still a man who lusts over Marie but that's it. I like the ending where he thought about death and that he wants to start again. There's just so many to unpack here since the ending made me like the book. 

"it's too hot" move to Antarctica then?

Hahaha but seriously I feel like that was used to describe his emotions since he doesn't have feelings. He just doesn't have any motivation to do anything. The very definition of a chill guy but the last pages did hit him. That's why the title is the stranger since he's not like other people (not like other boys?!) but he's still a man who lusts over Marie but that's it. I like the ending where he thought about death and that he wants to start again. There's just so many to unpack here since the ending made me like the book. 

Poojitha Uppalapati

It's been a long time since I've read this book (and it's definitely time for a re-read), yet I still think of it often. 

The narrartor, Mersault, is a character I personally find difficult to relate to and so I found him very fascinating. The Stranger's overarching theme is the absurdity and meaninglessness of life which is depicted through the actions and psychology of Mersault who is repeatedly depicted as a social outcast. Although the book is written from his first point-of-view, even we as the reader struggle to understand his motives and actions which further emphasizes his 'otherness'.   

I loved this book and will definitely read it again, as I think this is the type of book that needs to be read again and again in order to truly appreciate.  

It's been a long time since I've read this book (and it's definitely time for a re-read), yet I still think of it often. 

The narrartor, Mersault, is a character I personally find difficult to relate to and so I found him very fascinating. The Stranger's overarching theme is the absurdity and meaninglessness of life which is depicted through the actions and psychology of Mersault who is repeatedly depicted as a social outcast. Although the book is written from his first point-of-view, even we as the reader struggle to understand his motives and actions which further emphasizes his 'otherness'.   

I loved this book and will definitely read it again, as I think this is the type of book that needs to be read again and again in order to truly appreciate.  

florrr

i didn’t think a story this simple could feel so heavy. meursault’s detachment from everything— his mother’s death, love, even his own life, makes you question what really matters. it’s not just about being indifferent; it’s about the absurdity of trying to find meaning in a world that has none. his final decision to embrace the absurd felt both unsettling and strangely freeing.

One of the most prolific works from Albert Camus. Sometimes simplicity in fiction is an amazing way to introduce philosophical thoughts and ideas; the stranger is no less than just that. It showed how grounded ideas are nothing more than a way of keeping them from their purest state (of being absurd).

Anugerah

i feel like I just tried swallowing sawdust tbh

L'étranger

Romy

Khoa Dang

mari

This book is an existential journey that captivated me from the very first page. It struck a chord within me. The story pushed me to reflect on my own life, especially as it unfolded into a meditation on regret, isolation, and the fleeting nature of meaning. The main character’s final reflections on life were moving—his realization that the years lost to him didn’t matter in the grand scheme of things because there was no one to truly share them with hit me hard. It portrays the life of a character disconnected from faith and purpose; perhaps from an atheist or a nihilist, confronting the emptiness of his choices. The weight of remorse and his inability to fully embrace life’s precious moments make for a strikingly human, if heartbreaking, narrative. The protagonist’s reflection on his mother’s readiness to “begin again,” even at the end of her life, and his own mirrored readiness to face his fate left me moved.

Maureen

"As if that blind rage had washed me clean, rid me of hope; for the first time, in that night alive with signs and stars, I opened myself to the gentle indifference of the world."

***

Cheers to my 60th book this year! Meursault's total indifference to the world throughout is peak absurdism I guess. Even though the ending was predictable, the way Camus wrapped everything up was truly profound. A short but impactful read!

The Outsider

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