the 5 best albert camus books you should read and why
albert camus is a french writer whose work is known all over the world. several of his pieces have been translated into English over the years, and you’ve probably already heard of his most famous novel, the stranger, or the outsider.
Camus is known primarily for his writing, but he was also a French resistance fighter and philosopher. He was born and raised in Algeria, a French colony at the time. Camus’ early life greatly influenced his writing, and he was famous for his anti-coloniality. He worked for a left-wing newspaper in Algiers until it was finally closed down, and then he decided to move to Paris in 1940.
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when camus arrived in paris, the second world war had officially begun in france. he wanted to join the army but couldn’t because he contracted tuberculosis when he was 17 years old. This did not prevent Camus from serving his country: he became involved with the French resistance movement as an underground journalist for the resistance newspaper combat.
In 1957, at age 44, Camus became the second youngest person to win the Nobel Prize in Literature for his “important literary output, which with prescient earnestness illuminates the problems of human consciousness in our times. ”
Camus majored in philosophy at the University of Algiers and his interest in philosophy shines through in some of his writing (more on that later!). he also lived a very tumultuous personal life, like most writers. he was a famous womanizer and was involved with several different women throughout his life. he was only married twice but had multiple affairs.
He tragically and unexpectedly died in a car accident with his publisher, the well-known Michel Gallimard. gallimard continues to reign as a publisher in france!
I hope I’ve piqued your interest! Read on to find out the top 5 Albert Camus books you should read and why.
1. the stranger (l’Etranger)
l’Étranger, or the stranger (sometimes the stranger, depending on the publisher), is by far the most camus famous . Camus was clearly inspired by his own personal experiences in writing the book, as the story centers on a French man named Meursault living in Algeria. it was published in 1942.
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The book also touches on the theory of the absurd, which is the idea that human existence is the result of trying to extract meaning from our lives, and the futility of trying to find that meaning, since it does not exist. it’s a mouthful (and honestly quite depressing), i know, but did i mention camus was a philosopher!
as the story goes, meursault commits a crime and is then treated like an outcast. It’s almost as if Camus wants the reader to dislike the main character, since he is depicted as emotionless and detached. Camus writes in a very simple and easy to understand way, which is a trademark of his writing style.
read this book if: you like thrillers and also want to better understand the theory of the absurd.
2. the plague (the plague)
next in the famous works of camus is the plague, or the plague. This novel was published in 1947 and tells the story of a plague that takes over the Algerian city of Oran.
The novel talks about the effects that a crisis like a plague can have on humans. As with much of his work, Camus loves to show his readers the absurd things humans are capable of, be they good or terrible things.
The book is part of a series of camus called the “revolt cycle”. the series focuses on the struggle of human beings with death and the measures we will take to avoid our final destiny.
read this book if: you like dystopian novels.
3. the myth of sisyphus (le mythe de sisyphe)
if you think camus wasted his philosophy degree, you’re wrong! As mentioned, Camus was a great believer in the theory of the absurd. To quote the author himself, the definition of the absurd is, “that which does not make sense. thus the existence of man is absurd because his contingency finds no external justification.” To some, this is depressing, but to Camus, it wasn’t!
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the myth of sisyphus is an essay, published in 1942, in which camus grapples with the fact that humans must go on living even though we know death is inevitable (in other words, the theory of the absurd). The essay compares the myth of Sisyphus, a king from Greek mythology who is doomed to roll a rock up a hill for eternity, and the question of human existence.
read this book if: you want to better understand the philosophical beliefs of camus and are interested in greek mythology.
4. the fall (the ramp)
la chute, or the fall, is camus’s last work of fiction, published in 1956. the novel centers on a lawyer named jean-baptiste clamence who he reflects on his life to a complete stranger. The book is full of Clamence’s monologues recounting his rise to success as a lawyer in Paris until his final fall from glory.
Critics say that The Fall is the first book in which Camus’s true self comes to light through his writing. The novel is also said to be a comparison to the “Fall of Man” from the Garden of Eden in the Bible.
read this book if: you like drama and are interested in themes of innocence, existence and truth.
5. the rebel (l’homme révolté)
l’homme révolté, or the rebel, is an essay in the “cycle of revolt” series that I have already mentioned. Published in 1951, the essay focuses on the revolution of rebellion in modern society. Camus also attempts to summarize and analyze the various theories he has written about up to this point.
In the essay, Camus argues that we humans act the way we do because we are constantly searching for the meaning of life, even though there is none. According to Camus, we rebel because of this ultimate frustration.
read this book if: you want to better understand camus’s theories.
conclusion
If you were interested in reading some of the works of French author Albert Camus, you have 5 great starting points listed above! I recommend that you read them in the order they appear. head to your local bookstore to stock up and enjoy!
several famous authors and artists have left france. If you are in Paris and interested in learning more about them, I suggest you book one of our walking tours! Our local guides are experts in all things French and you are sure to learn something! Click here for more information and to make your reservation.
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