The Stranger by Albert Camus

The Stranger is Albert Camus’s seminal novel that explores existentialism and the philosophy of the absurd. The story follows Meursault, a disaffected Algerian man who lives with emotional detachment from the world around him. When he commits a senseless murder, his indifference shocks society more than the act itself.

Through Meursault’s trial and internal monologue, Camus examines the absurdity of life, the inevitability of death, and the societal expectations placed on individuals. The novel challenges readers to confront a universe without clear meaning, offering a profound and haunting philosophical reflection on existence.

A cornerstone of 20th-century literature, The Stranger remains a powerful and provocative exploration of alienation and human freedom.