The Stranger by Albert Camus

"The Stranger" by Albert Camus - Strange!

This book is published by Vintage in 1989 and has 144 pages. This edition is translated by Matthew Ward. 

Mersault, a young man loses his mother, who was in an old age home, in Algeria. His behaviour at the funeral, his detached response, his refusal to open casket and see his mother one last time, his watching comedy movie and making out with his girlfriend the next day perplexes the readers. Then one day he commits a murder. 

Why is Mersault behaving strangely? Is he mentally alright? Why did he kill? What will be the outcome of trial?

First half of the story raises a number of questions in the mind of reader about the protagonist. It appears that his behaviour is the main theme when the story suddenly veers to a different track with the murder and trial. However,  Mersault remains the enigma throughout. 

Author depicts the relationship between Salamano and his dog in a very interesting manner. They can't stand each other but can't live without each other, much like old husband and wife. His friendship with restaurant owner & Roland and his relationship with his girlfriend is also interesting. 

Mersault is strange, absurd, detached & withdrawn. There is no apparent reason for what he does and think, or at least there is no reason reader can see. Even the verdict of the trial is like the protagonist. Strange. 

This entire book ranges between strange and absurd. Mersault is a peculiar character. His behaviour is perplexing and weird at the same time. At times reader wonder if this man inhibits the same world that we do. To be like this he has to be either completely devoid of emotions or he must be an enlightened soul and has gone beyond emotions and material world. This book,  thus,  is not for everyone to like. 

Some of the interesting statements in this book are: 'She wanted to know if I loved her, I answered the same way I had the last time, that it didn't mean anything but that I probably didn't' or 'Condemned man is forced to morally  collaborate, that guillotine will work perfectly the first time.'

It's a very different writing style. He writes only what is essential, doing away with necessity of fillers, descriptiveness and background text. Direct cut to chase. Separating wheat from the chaff!

Albert Camus was born in Algeria and worked in France. He was part of  resistance to German occupation of France. He is winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature. 

Albert Camus once said 'Novel is nothing but philosophy put into images'. How apt!

Why did I read this book?  Author.

What I didn't like? Strangeness unexplained. 

What did I like? Directness

 Read if you liked this review.