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stacy_agi's review
emotional
hopeful
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
stndash's review
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
riddlespotter's review
3.0
I decided to read this book in view of the certain pandemic since many people said it would show an interesting perspective into the current situation. I went into reading knowing the novel is an allegory for the French Resistance, and hoped to get two stories out of one book.
I’m usually all in for philosophical musings of the author, so I expected to like the story here, especially since I’ve been interested in existentialism as of late. In this book, however, all of the philosophical bullets failed to touch anything in me. I found most speeches presented by Camus unmoving, going nowhere and kinda pointless. There were some bright points though, such as Tarrou’s monologue and the last few pages of the novel, and it really makes you think about things in a new light.
The narrative kept me going and I sympathized with some characters and the people of Oran in general. The excessive focus on lovers’ separation got old after the first ten pages devoted to it. One of the most memorable scenes is probably that of Rieux and Tarrou swimming in the sea, which made me feel for the characters more than any dialogue in the previous 300 or so pages.
With that said, I liked the book enough that I finished it and didn’t find it boring. I think I may be missing something important since so many people felt it was profound, so I may return to it in the future at a different point in my life, with a different perspective.
I’m usually all in for philosophical musings of the author, so I expected to like the story here, especially since I’ve been interested in existentialism as of late. In this book, however, all of the philosophical bullets failed to touch anything in me. I found most speeches presented by Camus unmoving, going nowhere and kinda pointless. There were some bright points though, such as Tarrou’s monologue and the last few pages of the novel, and it really makes you think about things in a new light.
The narrative kept me going and I sympathized with some characters and the people of Oran in general. The excessive focus on lovers’ separation got old after the first ten pages devoted to it. One of the most memorable scenes is probably that of Rieux and Tarrou swimming in the sea, which made me feel for the characters more than any dialogue in the previous 300 or so pages.
With that said, I liked the book enough that I finished it and didn’t find it boring. I think I may be missing something important since so many people felt it was profound, so I may return to it in the future at a different point in my life, with a different perspective.
asmodei's review
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Хорошая книга, не то чтобы много подробностей, однако интересно. Смерти уместны и не создаётся впечатления сказки. Персонажи интересны.
savvasaam's review
3.0
Pretty interesting. I don't usually read books about illnesses and how they affect people, so it was rather new. But I cannot say that it left anything serious in my mind. Not because it is bad, but just I personally didn't find it relatable or important.
Still have to figure out in what way this is a metaphor of Nazu occupation of France.
Still have to figure out in what way this is a metaphor of Nazu occupation of France.
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