# The Stranger

[View on juvoni.com](https://juvoni.com/book/the-stranger)

Book author: Albert Camus

Review and notes by Juvoni Beckford.

Rating: 7.5/10

Posted: 2017-04-14T20:00:00.000-04:00

Read: 2017-04-03

Awards: Lindy Book

## Review

A powerful, deep and revealing philosophical narrative around, "what is the meaning of life" and whether having a differing meaning from the average consensus of society forfeits one's own humanity. The stranger also takes a look at how extreme indifference in the world and lack of purpose can make one complacent to the whims and motivations of others, when you have a personal void that is easy to fill externally. I thought deeply about how effortless emotional control or however you categorize it as demonstrated by the protagonist was seen as something only a monster was capable of and not a human, but yet how extreme emotional expressions often create the most pain.

## Why I read it

Learning more about stoicism and developing a trait of indifference to some degree as a byproduct, I am curious to see how that theme is explored in The Stranger.

## Reasons to read

- Story of a man who believes life is meaningless and the effect it has on him and those around him.
- Narrative around Existentialism
- If you enjoy the blend between psychology and philosophy

## Quotes — Albert Camus

> “I may not have been sure about what really did interest me, but I was absolutely sure about what didn't.” <cite>Albert Camus</cite>

> “I opened myself to the gentle indifference of the world.” <cite>Albert Camus</cite>

> “Mostly, I could tell, I made him feel uncomfortable. He didn't understand me, and he was sort of holding it against me. I felt the urge to reassure him that I was like everybody else, just like everybody else. But really there wasn't much point, and I gave up the idea out of laziness.” <cite>Albert Camus</cite>

> “I realized then that a man who had lived only one day could easily live for a hundred years in prison. He would have enough memories to keep him from being bored” <cite>Albert Camus</cite>

> “I felt that I had been happy and that I was happy again. For everything to be consummated, for me to feel less alone, I had only to wish that there be a large crowd of spectators the day of my execution and that they greet me with cries of hate.” <cite>Albert Camus</cite>

> “I explained to him, however, that my nature was such that my physical needs often got in the way of my feelings.” <cite>Albert Camus</cite>

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