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dioniziah's review against another edition
4.0
My absolute favorite thing about this was Camus’ use of the suffering and deaths of children to comment on the role of religion in society. The human mind is always plagued and even fascinated by the idea of the end of the world. We write books, make movies, and constantly theorize about THE END and the moment something serious, like a pandemic, happens and we have to make real sacrifices for the general well-being of others, and face death constantly, we suddenly lose that fascination. It is no longer “interesting”. People just want to resume their lives and of course they run to anyone who offers an explanation and perhaps a solution. Usually, that source is God/religion whose answer is always “it’s because you are sinners! Repent!” Or in the case of children dying (the sinless/the innocent) “it’s the will of God.” No one is really interested in helping, finding a solution...they just want a WHY, as if that WHY, is going to magically get rid of the WHAT IS.
In the end, the town fought and survived (most of them anyway). They got past their own selfishness and showed up for each other, and that’s what ultimately saved them. However, after they weathered the storm together, they went right back to how they lived before the plague and that’s the real sickness. Our ability to forget is both a blessing and a curse.
In the end, the town fought and survived (most of them anyway). They got past their own selfishness and showed up for each other, and that’s what ultimately saved them. However, after they weathered the storm together, they went right back to how they lived before the plague and that’s the real sickness. Our ability to forget is both a blessing and a curse.
emmanueljo's review against another edition
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- 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
5.0
feathermonique's review against another edition
5.0
I love Camus. His works are intense and amazing to read.
From the Publisher
A haunting tale of human resilience in the face of unrelieved horror, Camus' novel about a bubonic plague ravaging the people of a North African coastal town is a classic of twentieth-century literature.
From the Publisher
A haunting tale of human resilience in the face of unrelieved horror, Camus' novel about a bubonic plague ravaging the people of a North African coastal town is a classic of twentieth-century literature.
jmgiles's review against another edition
Teaching it this semester so I will review after I reread.
darrylwright's review against another edition
5.0
This might be the first book I've given 5 stars but it's well deserved. The beautiful use of language, the sympathetic yet chillingly pragmatic treatment of human suffering and resolution are exactly what we need in the midst of Covid19.
mollymoll44's review against another edition
4.75
It’s been a hot minute, but this was my first book I ever read of Camus and I really loved it
tylermcgaughey's review against another edition
4.0
A little more of a traditional "novel" than [book: The Stranger], in terms of structure and character development and all that shit. I think it's referenced in the liner notes to Bob Dylan's Blood On The Tracks album.
fenvizh's review against another edition
sorry camus.. might try again in the future but as it stands i was just not enjoying this.