The Outsider (Penguin Modern Classics) (Paperback)

Meursault, a bachelor, living in Algiers, leads a completely unremarkable life until he finds himself committing an act of violence. A man who is incapable of lying, in any sense of the word, his response challenges all of the absurd values which society holds to be fundamental. Meursault's responses to the law, religion and society shake at the very heart of what traditionalists hold to be morally correct.

Incredibly readable, no book will change your way of thinking quite like this one. It says so much for Camus' incredible skill as a prose reader that the book manages to strike the reader so much in such a short and digestable length. Joseph Laredo's translation is superb, this book is fantastic - buy it and read it, over and over again.

As others have said, it is incredibly readable - the hundred or so pages just whizz by. Unlike one of the other contributors, I think it is the ideal book to read if you fancy something a bit more 'serious' than Tom Clancy. Its is accessible and very thought provoking - the very emptiness of the characters and environment is also profoundly compelling.

I agree that there is a danger that the 'indifference' of the protagonist can turn the reader off - but I think Camus manages to steer it away from that.

Some books do require alot of background knowledge for you to enjoy them properly - other better books (like 'The Outsider')are the spark to make you search for the knowledge to understand them more deeply.

Its enough if you can just say "I'm glad I read that". If a book can ignite your interest in that way, then it opens up all sorts of avenues for you.

Just as I wanted to know more about the Transcendentalists after reading Thoreau's "Walden" - now I want to know more about the Existentialists after reading the "Outsider".

It's a great book - and the ending is like being hit in the face with a shovel.

The author, Albert Camus set this book in his birthplace Algiers in the old French colony of Algeria. It was first published in French as 'L'etranger' in 1942 and the book compares with most his literary works though the ideology of death non-existence and individual freedom and choice. Camus's diverse existentialist beliefs are reflected through the life of Meursault as the character retains his belief throughout the novel that there is no god.

'The Outsider' is written in the first person, through Meursault's eyes. A flat impersonal tone is projected as if he was a stranger to the events indicated in the book and to any meaning the story might have. The other characters mentioned in the novel provide evidence of Meursaults behaviour and ability to interact with others.

Meursault first hit me as being unresponsive and even repelling but as I advanced into the story the principal characteristic which caught my attention was his total sincerity probably because it is almost unknown in our world. The young French office clerk will not make any claims against what he actually feels even though he can see the disturbing effect of his truthfulness upon other characters in the story.

The book follows the life of Meursault: He is caught up in a random succession of circumstances whereby Meursault and his friends get into a fight with a group of Arabs whilst on a day out at the beach. Later, Meursault accidentally kills one of them, is tried by the Courts and is sentenced to death on the Guillotine "in the name of the French people".

Initially, Meursault is sent a telegraph telling him that his mother is dead. This news has little emotional effect on him and Meursault sees it as an inconvenience because he must miss work for the funeral. Meursault believes death is inevitable and so there is no need to grieve. However, as the novel progresses the people at the Funeral are surprised by his lack of sadness.

It is rare that Meursault describes his feelings but when he does they tend to be physical sensations rather than inner emotions. Meursault is greatly sensitive to the sun and on the day of his mothers funeral its heat, brightness and intensity occupy his thoughts. The funeral is nothing but an inconvenience to Meursault who in uncomfortable in the blazing heat.

Throughout the novel references are made to the sun and Meursault's whole life seems to revolve around nature and its effects on him. On the day of the killing, he is so overwhelmed by the suns heat on the beach that he staggers to find a cool stream of water. One of the Arabs Meursault and his friends earlier encountered is already at the stream. He feels threatened by Meursault's presence and brandishes a knife. Meursault kills the Arab because the intensity of the sunlight and the heat of the Algerian sun make him weary. The suns reflection on the shining knife makes Meursault feel as if he is being stabbed. After the killing later on in the book, Camus gives an insight in to the subjective Algerian Legal System as Meursault gives a detailed account of his trial. The reasons for the killing are barely touched upon but Meursault is greatly condemned for the 'heartless' way he behaved at his mother's funeral. He is punished for being an 'outsider' and this in turn provides the Court with enough evidence to pronounce him guilty of murder.

The use of description is amazing in 'The Outsider', this stemming from the fact that Camus spent the earlier part of his life living in Algiers. Meursault's feelings and his perceptions of others are described immaculately because the story is told through the eyes of the character. This encaptures the reader; you feel as if you gradually get to know Meursault making the ending unbearably poignant.