The Stranger (Magill Book Reviews)
At a glance:
- Author: Albert Camus
- First Published: 1942
- Type of Work: Novel
- Genres: Long fiction, Existential literature, Philosophical realism
- Subjects: Colonialism, Murder or homicide, 1940’s, Alienation, 1930’s, Capital punishment, Trials, Death or dying, Funeral rites or ceremonies, Existentialism, Algeria or Algerians
- Locales: Algiers, Algeria
Narrator Meursault begins with one of the most famous opening statements in modern literature: “Mother died today. Or, maybe, yesterday; I can’t be sure.” Meursault is not so much callous as affectless, utterly disconnected from social conventions. He attends his mother’s funeral but fails to conform to the rituals expected on such an occasion.
The next day, he goes to the beach and picks up a woman named Marie. The two become lovers, but Meursault is unable to make any long-term commitments. He is also befriended by a petty hoodlum named Raymond.
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