Albert Camus
Albert Camus was a French philosopher, author, and journalist. He is best known for his contributions to the philosophy of absurdism and for works such as 'The Stranger' and 'The Plague'. Camus was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1957.
Books
This list of books are ONLY the books that have been ranked on the lists that are aggregated on this site. This is not a comprehensive list of all books by this author.
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1. The Stranger
The narrative follows a man who, after the death of his mother, falls into a routine of indifference and emotional detachment, leading him to commit an act of violence on a sun-drenched beach. His subsequent trial becomes less about the act itself and more about his inability to conform to societal norms and expectations, ultimately exploring themes of existentialism, absurdism, and the human condition.
The 17th Greatest Book of All Time -
2. The Plague
The novel is set in the Algerian city of Oran during the 1940s, where a deadly plague sweeps through, causing the city to be quarantined. The story is told through the eyes of a doctor who witnesses the horror and suffering caused by the disease. The narrative explores themes of human resilience, solidarity, and the struggle against the absurdities of life. It also examines how individuals and society respond to death and disease, creating a profound meditation on the nature of existence and human endurance.
The 128th Greatest Book of All Time -
3. The Fall
The novel is narrated by a successful Parisian lawyer who has moved to Amsterdam after a crisis of conscience. He confesses his past misdeeds and moral failings to a stranger in a bar, revealing his growing self-loathing and disillusionment with the hypocrisy and shallowness of his former life. His confessions are a reflection on guilt, innocence, and the nature of human existence. The protagonist's fall from grace serves as a critique of modern society's moral failings and the individual's struggle with guilt and redemption.
The 425th Greatest Book of All Time -
4. The Myth of Sisyphus
And Other Essays
This book is a philosophical essay that explores the concept of absurdity, and how individuals should respond to life's inherent meaninglessness. It posits that life is essentially absurd due to the conflict between our desire for understanding and the chaotic, indifferent universe. The author argues that the only proper response to this absurdity is to live life to its fullest, embracing and rebelling against the absurdity, rather than resorting to suicide or turning to religion or philosophy for false comfort. The story of Sisyphus, condemned to eternally roll a boulder up a hill only for it to roll back down, is used as a metaphor for the human condition.
The 559th Greatest Book of All Time -
5. The Rebel
An Essay on Man in Revolt
"The Rebel" is a philosophical exploration of rebellion and revolution. It dissects the nature and origins of rebellion, arguing that it arises from a basic human refusal to accept injustice. The book delves into the many forms rebellion can take, from personal revolt to political revolution, and examines the consequences and ethics of each. The author also critically evaluates the rebellious attitudes of various historical figures and movements, highlighting the potential for rebellion to either affirm or destroy human dignity.
The 668th Greatest Book of All Time -
6. The First Man
"The First Man" is a semi-autobiographical novel that explores the life of a man named Jacques Cormery, who grows up in poverty in Algeria, loses his father at a young age, and struggles with his relationship with his illiterate mother. The narrative delves into themes of identity, memory, and the human condition, as Jacques attempts to understand his past and his father's life, while simultaneously grappling with the harsh realities of colonial Algeria. Despite the challenges, Jacques remains determined to rise above his circumstances through education and personal growth.
The 3324th Greatest Book of All Time -
7. Notebooks
"Notebooks" is a collection of personal writings that offer a glimpse into the inner life of its author, a prominent 20th-century philosopher and writer. Spanning several decades, the entries range from philosophical reflections, personal observations, to literary musings and sketches of ideas that would later become central to his major works. The notebooks reveal the author's rigorous intellectual discipline, his commitment to moral and political issues of his time, and his relentless search for meaning in a world he often viewed as absurd. They provide an intimate look at his development as a thinker and a writer, showcasing the evolution of his ideas and the breadth of his interests.
The 3394th Greatest Book of All Time -
8. Nuptials
"Nuptials" is a lyrical essay collection that delves into the author's profound reflections on the Mediterranean landscape and the joy of living. Through vivid and evocative prose, the essays explore the author's sensory experiences and emotional responses to the sun, sea, and nature of Algiers and its surroundings. The work celebrates the physical beauty of the world, the intense pleasures of the body, and the connection between the individual and the natural environment, all while contemplating the themes of existence, happiness, and mortality. The author's meditations on the simple yet profound aspects of life offer a philosophical perspective on the human condition and the search for meaning within the splendor of the natural world.
The 7812th Greatest Book of All Time -
9. Le Premier Homme
The novel explores the themes of identity, memory, and the search for meaning through the story of a man named Jacques Cormery, who reflects on his childhood in Algeria and his relationship with his mother. Set against the backdrop of colonial Algeria, the narrative delves into Jacques' experiences growing up in poverty, his struggles with understanding his father's absence due to his death in World War I, and his quest to uncover his roots. Through vivid descriptions and introspective passages, the story captures the complexities of personal and cultural identity, as well as the enduring impact of one's past on the present.
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10. Le Malentendu
The story revolves around a mother and daughter who run a small, isolated inn where they murder wealthy guests to steal their money. When the estranged son and brother returns home after many years, hoping to reconnect without revealing his identity, he becomes an unsuspecting victim of their scheme. The narrative explores themes of existentialism, the absurdity of life, and the tragic consequences of miscommunication and misunderstanding, ultimately leading to a devastating and ironic climax.
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11. Les Justes
The play explores the moral and ethical dilemmas faced by a group of Russian revolutionaries in 1905 as they plan and execute an assassination to overthrow a tyrannical regime. The characters grapple with the tension between their idealistic goals and the violent means required to achieve them, questioning the justification of murder for political ends. Through intense dialogues and personal conflicts, the narrative delves into themes of justice, sacrifice, and the human cost of revolutionary fervor, ultimately highlighting the complexity of balancing personal conscience with collective responsibility.
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12. Caligula
A Play in Four Acts
The play explores the descent into madness of the Roman Emperor Caligula, who, after the death of his beloved sister Drusilla, becomes obsessed with the absurdity and meaninglessness of life. He embarks on a tyrannical reign marked by cruelty and irrationality, seeking to challenge the limits of power and the human condition. Through his actions, Caligula exposes the hypocrisy and moral decay of those around him, ultimately leading to his own downfall. The work delves into themes of existentialism, the search for freedom, and the consequences of absolute power.