“The Stranger” by Albert Camus is a classic existentialist novel that explores themes of alienation, absurdity, and the search for meaning in life. The story follows Meursault, a French Algerian man who learns of his mother’s death and attends her funeral. Meursault is portrayed as detached and indifferent, lacking emotion or a sense of morality that society expects.
After the funeral, Meursault becomes involved in a casual romantic relationship and later, in a tragic event, kills an Arab man on a beach. The novel follows Meursault’s trial and his confrontation with the absurdity of life and death, culminating in a philosophical exploration of the meaning of existence.
“The Stranger” is a thought-provoking novel that challenges readers to question the nature of life and the choices we make. Camus’s writing is spare yet profound, conveying a sense of existential dread and the futility of human existence. The novel remains a classic of existential literature, exploring themes that are as relevant today as they were when it was first published.