The Stranger (L'Etranger)
By Albert Camus
Translated by Matthew Ward
Yes, yes. Albert Camus is one of the most important 20th-century French writers and a Nobel Prize winning novelist.
Yes, yes. The Stranger is an exquisitely philosophical novel exploring the themes of colonialism, existentialism and nihilism.
Nihilism? Fuck me. I mean, say what you will about the tenets of National Socialism, but at least it's an ethos!
Yes, yes. Meursault is a champion of free will and a brave literary figure who personifies the meaninglessness of life.
Yes, yes. It's a great read.
All this is true and then some. The Stranger is a really good book on many levels. But the only thing I could think of while reading this novel was: "Well, now I know where The Cure got the title of the song Killing an Arab."
Am I wrong or am I just an asshole?
