The Stranger
The Stranger is a 1942 novel by Albert Camus. It has become one of the most influential works of literature in modern times, and it is widely considered to be an existential classic. The novel follows Meursault, an Algerian man living in French colonial Algeria who finds himself dealing with the consequences of his indifference to life after he kills another man.
The themes explored in this book include alienation, absurdity, freedom, responsibility, and death. Through Meursault's journey as a character, we are able to see how these concepts can shape our lives and lead us down unexpected paths. In addition to its philosophical explorations, The Stranger also provides insight into post-colonial North Africa during World War II through its setting and characters' interactions with each other.
The narrative style used by Camus further enhances the impactful story being told; he employs stream-of-consciousness narration, which allows readers to get inside the mind of Meursault as events unfold around him, from small details such as noticing sunlight reflecting off objects or feeling sand beneath his feet all the way up to larger moral dilemmas that come about due to his actions or lack thereof. This unique approach helps draw readers into both a physical world populated by interesting people and also allows them to explore inner thoughts on their own terms without judgement from any outside source – something that makes for an emotionally charged reading experience unlike anything else available at the time (or since).