L'etranger

The Stranger: Albert Camus' quintessential existential classic. Just finished reading this, but be forewarned: it is a bit of a downer.

Camus' works convey the common theme of the absurdity of life and the meaninglessness of it all. The Stranger (L'etranger in the native French) is no exception. Here the plot is centered around a man who passes through life like a leaf in the wind. Not really caring so much if something does or does not happen nor if one event occurs in place of another. This drives the other characters mad, eventually ending up in a courtroom scene not unlike the ending to Seinfeld series, where friends and acquaintances testify as to the 'low character' of the accused.

In the end, Camus makes through the protagonist some bold assertions about how everyone dies and it matters not when or how, that people will go living either way. Insightful, and ponderous, but in small quantities, lest one becomes too enamored with his nihilism.

More excitement to come!
Matt