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triciad's review against another edition
dark
reflective
sad
medium-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
3.5
If it weren't so short, I would have DNF'd after the first 30 pages. Didn't become remotely interesting until halfway through. I know it's a classic, but it's not for me.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Death, Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Racism, Death of parent, and Murder
ashleymae_'s review against another edition
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
An introductory text into absurdism and nihilism
It’s a classic absurdist and nihilist text, and it does not impress me the in the way that Waiting for Godot did in high school. Obviously the plot of L’étranger is more plausible. While the focus is on the protagonist’s morally devoid character, the happenings of the novel occur purely as a result of circumstances. The lack of character development may be explained by the perspective of Meursault who exhibits sociopathic behaviours. His thinking processes consider people as facts, they are relevant to him when they are in his vicinity, when they are absent they almost vanish from his conscience. Marie is beautiful, people conduct their business on the street, and the sun is oppressively hot. He lives hedonistically but accepts all which comes his way.
What interested me was the flaws of human justice processes that were raised, whereby the prosecutor drew a string of coincidental events into a flawless tapestry condemning Meursault to the guillotine. The idea that the defence lawyer and the prosecutor were into his soul rather than coming to a verdict purely on the basis of facts casts light on the complexities of human instinct and feeling that are often in direct opposition to logic and plain facts.
The murder scene was also interesting as the sensory overload Meursault experiences was reason enough to murder a stranger who he was not in direct conflict with, in fact the murdered man defended his sister from Raymond’s abuse. None of these details mattered in Meursault’s mind.
Overall, this English translation is sharp, effective and a solid introductory text into absurdist and nihilist philosophy. For this reason I imagine it is a required reading for Year 11 and 12 Extension English. As a French speaker, I wish to read the original French version because I believe it will be more enjoyable to me. I prefer the poetics of the French language and the feeling of proximity to the author through their native language.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Racism, and Violence
Minor: Gun violence, Death of parent, and Murder
rtownend1's review against another edition
dark
inspiring
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
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Racism, and Xenophobia
Minor: Animal cruelty, Misogyny, Sexual violence, and Violence
hjb_128's review against another edition
dark
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, and Murder
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual violence, and Injury/Injury detail
sofieishere's review against another edition
dark
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Domestic abuse, Violence, Death of parent, and Murder
Moderate: Racism
Minor: Vomit
lakeblackett's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-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
2.5
Look, I get it. It’s a classic. Some of the writing was beautifully written and part two definitely hooked me. But… are we reading the same thing? I don’t understand the full hype. The main character was awful pretty awful person, surrounded by pretty awful people. I just didn’t find myself moved in the way everyone else seems to be after reading all these big star reviews?
3 stars however because it was an interesting read once finished and it was written in a way that made me forget it was even fiction. Maybe if I ever get around to a second reading of this as people keep shouting to do, I’ll be moved in some existential way and feel the same passion. But for now? No.
3 stars however because it was an interesting read once finished and it was written in a way that made me forget it was even fiction. Maybe if I ever get around to a second reading of this as people keep shouting to do, I’ll be moved in some existential way and feel the same passion. But for now? No.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Racism, and Murder
mangonana's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Death of parent, and Murder
alley_cat29's review against another edition
dark
reflective
slow-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
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Violence, and Murder
autumnnleeaves's review against another edition
The intro to this book said it was possibly the most influential novel of the 20th century. I kind of find that hard to believe based on how incredibly boring it is.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse and Murder
Moderate: Animal cruelty
layaisstupid's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
The book was slow-paced and so insanely in the mind of the main character that sometimes i found it difficult to really understand where things where going, but after the initial encounter with the Arabs I found it interesting enough to continue. Overall it felt less like an engaging plot with interesting characters and more like the ramblings of a man so absorbed in his situation that he can’t bother to satisfy even the closest people to his heart. He just really didn’t gaf i guess😭
Content Warnings
Minor: Animal cruelty, Domestic abuse, and Death of parent