The Stranger [Mass Market Paperback]

Albert Camus (Author), Stuart Gilbert (Translator)

Book Description

Publication Date: 1946

Shows some signs of wear, and may have some markings on the inside. 100% Money Back Guarantee.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 155 pages
• Publisher: Vintage Books; First Thus edition (1946)
• Language: English
• ASIN: B000OIBY4Y
• Product Dimensions: 7.1 x 4.2 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #10,899 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Philosophically Deep and Moving Book, June 21, 2011

By 

E. David Swan (South Euclid, Ohio USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Stranger (Mass Market Paperback)

When I first started reading `The Stranger' by Albert Camus it seemed rather dull. It's a first person account from a somewhat bland character named Meursault, the titular `Stranger'. While working my way through the book I had to wonder if an alternate translation, `The Outsider', would be more appropriate for `L'Étranger'. Meursault is a Frenchmen living on Algeria but in no way is he a stranger. He has a circle of friends, a job and even a girlfriend. What sets him apart from humanity is his possibly pathological indifference to just about anything whether it be abuse of a dog, abuse of a woman or even the death of his own mother. Not that he engages in abuse it's just that he seems unaffected by the suffering of others. Other descriptions I've read on this book have described Meursault as honest to a fault with this being his downfall. I'm not sure that gives people the correct impression. Meursault's honesty is not the kind where you tell a fat woman she's fat. His downfall is more his inability to feign sorrow, regret or empathy. When his girlfriend asks if he loves her he considers it and answers "no" without any thought that the answer might be painful to hear. About half way through the book, in a bizarre set of circumstances, Meursault ends up killing a man and when asked by the police if he feels regret he says he never looks on the past with regret and in this case feels only vexation. There is no evident malice only utter insensibility.

Philosophically The Stranger is one of the most intriguing and moving books I have ever read particularly the final act where Meursault confronts the priest who attempts to lead him to the Christian God in the last days before his execution. Despite the perceived indifference he exhibits throughout the book Meursault has a consistent and well defined philosophy of existence. In this moment Meursault disgorges everything he has on the hapless priest and lays bare his soul (so to speak). Knowing that his death is but weeks, days or perhaps hours away, he achieves a moment of clarity seeing his place in the universe, a universe even more indifferent than himself. Camus never absolves him of his crime but in a sense Meursault rises above the simple act of killing a man, above his imprisonment and above life itself. He achieves full acceptance of his existence and place in the universe and in that moment transcends life and God. I`m genuinely saddened that I'm not able to read the final chapter in its original French. If the translation is this good I can hardly imagine how amazing the original must be.

This is the kind of book that one could read and ponder over and over again and I have a feeling I will. There is a considerable amount of symbolism throughout particularly the scorching sun which seems to continually oppress Meursault until he can take it no more. It starts off very slowly and builds throughout. I've never been on trial and certainly never been on death row but Camus gave Meursault an inner dialogue that rang so true it felt more real than any other portrayal I've seen or read. Despite his crime and often callous view of the suffering of others Camus created a character so real and open to the reader that I couldn't help but pity him terribly for his situation but in the end Meursault found peace regardless of the outcome. If you haven't read this book you really should and it's a short read so if you don't find it as profound as I did at least you wont have to endure it for long.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Irritated by other reviewers...LOVE THE BOOK!, May 14, 2011

By 

Jason S. Webb "Recalcitrantsob" (Melbourne, FL.) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Stranger (Mass Market Paperback)

First of all, yes, this is a fantastic and worth while book. I wish that other raters/reviewers would PAY ATTENTION to the difference between providing ratings for the book as opposed to the seller. This book should always be viewed as a classic and a five star or at least 4 star. I read this book some years back but this tale of absurdity and murder and detatchment/alienation of the main character delivers some stimulating reading. Ambiguity makes this book what it is. I found this to be my favorite Camus novel and that is saying alot because his books are typically pretty good. So I won't give away too much but I will remind people to be aware of what you are rating because this book deserves a little respect beyond 2 ratings of one stars it was given.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Peculiar and interesting read. Also a quick one., June 17, 2011

By 

Patrick G - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Stranger (Mass Market Paperback)

When I started reading the book, I had some buyer remorse because it's slow going early on. It's also written in an entirely different manner than I'm used to, so it took a bit. That said, I really enjoyed the main character, Mersault. Certainly a unique main character.

Like others have stated, the first part of the book is slow compared to Part 2. However, the first part lays a lot of foundation for the second, so there is a point.

This book is worth the purchase for a few reasons. For one, there's not much else like it in literature. If there is, I haven't read anything comparable. Second, it's a book that can and should be read more than once. That way, you get more of the context and underlying themes. Third, it's short enough that another read shouldn't take long at all.

My only critique is the length of this book. Just when it gets interesting and I'm drawn all the way in, it's over. Small critique anyways, and that might be one of the finer points.