The Stranger

Camus' novel The Stranger is an important piece of modern literature, known for its exploration of existentialism. The story follows Monsieur Meursault, who feels disconnected and goes through life with emotional detachment. Set in colonial Algeria, this is a novel of the concepts of the absurd and the meaning — or meaninglessness — of existence.

Albert Camus (1913–1960) was born in Mondovi, Algeria, which was then part of the French colonial empire. His family had been settled in Algeria since 1871, with French roots on his father’s side and Spanish ancestry from his mother. Born on a vineyard in the settlement of Saint-Paul near Mondovi, he grew up in a poor, working-class neighborhood in Algiers after his father was killed in World War I. His mother, an illiterate and partially deaf woman, raised him with his older brother under the supervision of his grandmother.

Camus’ education was shaped by Monsieur Germain, a teacher who recognized his potential and helped him secure a scholarship to a good secondary school in 1924. Despite his family's expectations for him to work in his grandmother’s store, Germain offered free lessons to prepare Camus. This opportunity allowed him to enter a higher education, where he often hid his humble origins. He later studied philosophy at the University of Algiers and expressed deep gratitude to Germain, dedicating his Nobel Prize acceptance speech to him:

"But when I heard the news, my first thought, after my mother, was of you. Without you, without the affectionate hand you extended to the small poor child that I was, without your teaching and example, none of all this would have happened."

»Everything I know about morality and the obligations of men, I owe to football.«

In the 1930s, Camus joined the Communist Party but soon distanced himself due to its unwillingness to fight for the rights of Algeria's native population. He was in Paris when the Germans invaded France during World War II in 1940. Although he tried to flee, he ultimately joined the French Resistance, serving as editor-in-chief at Combat, an outlawed newspaper. After the war, Camus became a celebrity figure, giving lectures around the world.

In 1941, amid the chaos of World War II, Camus completed the manuscript for The Stranger, his first published novel. It was during this time that he fully developed his philosophy of absurdism, emphasizing the conflict between human desire for meaning and the universe’s indifference. The Stranger is part of a broader body of work that deals with themes of absurdity, alongside The Plague (1947) and The Myth of Sisyphus (1942).

Widely regarded as a classic of 20th-century literature, The Stranger has received critical acclaim for its philosophical depth and stylistic innovation. Le Monde ranked it No 1 on its list of the 100 Books of the 20th Century.

The iconic opening line sets the tone for the reading experience; I wish I could read this book for the first time again. Camus plunges us into the life of Meursault, a man who embodies the essence of absurdism.

»My mother died today. Or maybe yesterday, I don't know.«

One of the most striking aspects of the novel is the way it examines the absurdity of life. Camus challenges conventional morality through Meursault's actions and reactions. The title, The Stranger, encapsulates the essence of Meursault's character. He is a stranger not only to society but also to himself and to us, navigating a world that seems indifferent to his presence. This sense of estrangement intensifies as the narrative unfolds, leading to a dramatic shift in Meursault's life that challenges everything he understands about existence.

The authenticity of the setting allows readers to recognize Camus' background and influences within the work. I appreciate the novel's division into two parts, which creates a contrast between Meursault's everyday life and the uproar that follows. The first part establishes his routine and detached observations, while the second part thrusts him into a reality that forces him to deal with the consequences of his actions. This structural choice effectively emphasizes the absurdity and the unpredictable nature of existence.

The Stranger challenges your perceptions and leaves a lasting impression. It’s a thought provoking journey that I highly recommend for fans of existentialism and future absurdism fans.