The Outsider

Title: The Outsider or The Stranger or L’Étranger

Author: Albert Camus

Genre: Philosophical Fiction

Pages: 117

Synopsis:

Meursault is different. He will not lie. He will not pretend. He is true to himself.

So when his mother dies and he is unmoved, he refuses to do the proper thing and grieve. Returning to Algiers after the funeral, he carries on life as usual until he becomes involved in a violent murder.

In court, it is clear that Meursault’s guilt or innocence will not be determined by what he did or did not do.

He is on trial for being different – an outsider.

(from Goodreads)

My Thoughts:

The Outsider made for a very well-thought-out read that made you question the meaning of your life. The story revolves around a man named Meursault a man who was indifferent to well… everything. Meursault went around believing none of what he does even matters. Including his love life, as when his girlfriend Marie asks him to marry her. Meursault tells her that he doesn’t love her and marrying her doesn’t matter, but still decides to marry her anyway. After killing the Arab in the story, Meursault goes on trial and the trial makes you question whether he is on trial for actually murdering the Arab or is he on trial simply for being different than everyone.

The book has Absurdist themes which isn’t a surprise since Albert Camus was a well-known Absurdist. As our main character believes that his life doesn’t matter and the choices he makes don’t matter since he is going to die eventually. I also noticed the theme of authenticity (which to me is a major theme in Existentialism and Absurdism). Meursault stays true to himself even when it doesn’t benefit him. And this is what makes him well an Outsider. He recognizes the absurdity of the universe and he stays authentic and true to himself even in a world that sees him as awkward, cold, and remote.

Meursault does make an interesting case study into Absurdist and Authenticity Philosophy and that’s what makes him such an interesting main character. It was a short read but just because it’s short doesn’t mean it’s bad. I prefer a good story over a long and drawn-out story. I recommend this book if you are into Philosophy, Existentialism and Absurdist thought. I don’t recommend this book if you are uncomfortable about asking yourself Existential/Absurdist questions.

Rating: