Reviews tagging 'Emotional abuse'

The Outsider by Albert Camus

11 reviews

chloe_jade's review against another edition

dark reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

It greatly concerns me how many people I’ve witnessed say they relate heavily to Meursault when in actuality they are incredibly introspective, deep-feeling, anxious and empathetic souls. Meursault’s complete lack of remorse and detachment to grief, love, connection and empathy appeared to point to psychopathy more than anything else. 

I say this because the alienation was from a perpetual state of apathetic indifference to absolutely everything, not a temporary state of mind in which many of us have experienced. It’s not that he merely objects societal norms, he has no emotional access to any sort of morals or purpose. It’s a glass wall between his psyche and the world that cannot be shattered. 

Meursault is incapable at lying to anyone, including himself. Even when his life is on the line, everything is matter-of-fact and insignificant.

I thoroughly enjoyed the prose on the sensory overload. I was mystified as to how Marie remained attached and loyal to such an empty vessel of a man - there was no backstory on her but this was very apt since the narrator was Meursault himself and well… it doesn’t make any difference to him. 

Absolutely adored the final few pages. The interpretations could be debated to no end I’m sure, it’s simpler to pair up with Camus’ essays on absurdism. If you don’t enjoy thinking philosophically, the entire novella will likely bore you to death.

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Violence, Medical content, Death of parent, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail

lillelow's review against another edition

dark reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Animal cruelty, Bullying, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Mental illness, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Violence, Death of parent, and Murder

magnusoloughlin's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful reflective relaxing fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

The dog

was the saddest moment.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Death and Death of parent

Moderate: Domestic abuse and Emotional abuse

sagelikesscats's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Maybe a lot of people find the protagonist insufferable, but I didn’t really mind that he was nihilistic, maybe we that he didn’t care that the things he did had a negative affect on others.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Confinement, Emotional abuse, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Violence, Death of parent, and Murder

Moderate: Animal cruelty, Physical abuse, Sexual content, and Sexual violence

Minor: Racism

keyradiator's review against another edition

dark mysterious reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

The book may read a bit dull or like Workman's prose when you start, but I'd recommend sticking with it! The prosody between the character and the prose is really strong, and the plot quickly becomes compelling.

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, and Racism

tungstenmouse's review against another edition

challenging dark reflective tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

 During part 1, I wondered why people see this book as so important. Part 2 answered that question and really made me think. I was prepared to give this 3 stars or less but the second half as well as the perspectives from the translator and the scholars in notes at the end of the book really helped bring up my rating. This was definitely worth the listen for the ideas it presents.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Death of parent, and Murder

Moderate: Animal cruelty, Bullying, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Racism, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Infidelity, Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Sexual content, Vomit, Police brutality, Gaslighting, and Colonisation

softgirlari's review against another edition

dark medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal cruelty, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, Murder, Toxic friendship, and Injury/Injury detail

theothersideofreading's review against another edition

dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Death of parent, and Murder

Minor: Vomit

cutepatzie's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

It's a very surprising book. It shows how perspective can change every faith. I was so surprised by how much I like this book. Amazing description of places. Very reflective book. Love how much your perspective change from the beginning to the end of the book. Solid read. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Chronic illness, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, and Alcohol

miayukino's review against another edition

dark reflective tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

(lit pour français ap)

Certainly a reflective and grim story. My prof suggested that many have speculated Mersault to be autistic or have asberger's and as a neurodivergent human (allistic), I gotta say it's way more complex then that. Autism and neurodivergence are not code words for social dysfunction or cold personalities. Obviously, everyone's experience is completely different and without spoiling much, my take is that our protagonist is neurodivergent and feels an incredible amount (contrary to the words of my teacher). He has many recognizable compulsions and intrusive thoughts which remind me of my own OCD traits but his coldness to me is not a physiological characteristic but rather a philosophical one. Not all neurodivergent people inherently believe in nothing (I sure don't), that is Mersault's own distinct nihilism. 

Suffice to say, if you give this one a whirl, do think about the phychological aspects but check yourself when throwing around mental illness as synonyms for complete lack of social understanding and nihilism, because more often than not, it's a stereotype or a subjective experience.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal cruelty, Confinement, Death, Grief, and Death of parent

Moderate: Body shaming, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Racism, Toxic relationship, and Xenophobia

Minor: Colonisation