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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.
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
olgadovnarreads's review against another edition
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This basically feels like the same protagonist as in Murakami’s Norwegian Wood (and a lot of Murakami in general, gotta be a major influence).
Which I can’t say I’ve not liked.
Easy to read. Solid style. Maybe too high a frequency of the word “presently” in the first third there, but also maybe that’s just me.
I like that there are loose threads. Always good in a first-person narrative.
I’ve also enjoyed that bit of a crescendo towards the very end.
Overall, very nice. Not my favorite book in the world, but it’s a lot of what I like in one small volume, and it’s very possible I should read more Camus.
Which I can’t say I’ve not liked.
Easy to read. Solid style. Maybe too high a frequency of the word “presently” in the first third there, but also maybe that’s just me.
I like that there are loose threads. Always good in a first-person narrative.
I’ve also enjoyed that bit of a crescendo towards the very end.
Overall, very nice. Not my favorite book in the world, but it’s a lot of what I like in one small volume, and it’s very possible I should read more Camus.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Confinement
leechboy01's review against another edition
reflective
sad
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
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Domestic abuse, and Physical abuse
puttingwingsonwords's review against another edition
reflective
medium-paced
- 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: Confinement, Death, and Gun violence
Moderate: Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Death, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racism, Sexism, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Violence, and Grief