The Stranger by Albert Camus
Set in the sun-drenched landscapes of Algeria, this existential novel follows the life of an emotionally detached and indifferent man who becomes embroiled in a series of events leading to a senseless murder. Through his trial and eventual conviction, the narrative explores themes of absurdity, the meaning of life, and the societal expectations of morality. The protagonist's passive acceptance of his fate and his refusal to conform to conventional emotional responses challenge the reader to question the nature of existence and the human condition.
The 28th greatest book of all time
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Total Points: 3433
This book was first published in 1942
39 Lists
- score: 152 -- The Top 10: The Greatest Books of All Time - 2007 (Weight: 150)
- score: 150 -- Top 100 Works in World Literature - 2002 (Weight: 150)
- score: 150 -- For The Love of Books - 1999 (Weight: 150)
- score: 150 -- 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die - 2006 (Weight: 150)
- score: 141 -- Top 100 World Literature Titles - 2017 (Weight: 135)
- score: 137 -- El Pais Favorite Books of 100 Spanish Authors - 2008 (Weight: 135)
- score: 135 -- Världsbiblioteket (The World Library) - 1991 (Weight: 135)
- score: 109 -- The 100 Best Novels of the 20th Century - 1999 (Weight: 105)
- score: 105 -- The New York Public Library's Books of the Century - 1996 (Weight: 105)
- score: 105 -- The Booklist Century: 100 Books, 100 Years - 2005 (Weight: 105)
- score: 105 -- The Hundred Most Influential Books Since The War (WW2) - 1995 (Weight: 105)
- score: 101 -- Le Monde's 100 Books of the Century - 1999 (Weight: 97)
- score: 97 -- The Bigger Read List - 2003 (Weight: 97)
- score: 97 -- ZEIT-Bibliothek der 100 Bücher - 2009 (Weight: 97)
- score: 97 -- What Harvard Professors Think Greatest Books Ever: Top 20 List (1977) - 1977 (Weight: 97)
- score: 90 -- The Greatest Books of All Time - 2022 (Weight: 90)
- score: 90 -- 100 Most Influential Books of the Century - 2000 (Weight: 90)
- score: 90 -- 222 Best Books of All Time That Deserve a Spot on Your Bookshelf, With Picks from Bestselling Authors and Indie Booksellers - 2024 (Weight: 90)
- score: 86 -- The New Lifetime Reading Plan - 1999 (Weight: 86)
- score: 83 -- Harvard Book Store Staff's Favorite 100 Books - 2011 (Weight: 82)
- score: 82 -- Select 100 - 2015 (Weight: 82)
- score: 82 -- Best Books Ever - 2006 (Weight: 82)
- score: 82 -- 100 Books to Read in a Lifetime - 2014 (Weight: 82)
- score: 80 -- 100 Essential Books - 2009 (Weight: 78)
- score: 74 -- 100 Best Novels, in Translation, Since 1900 - 2014 (Weight: 71)
- score: 65 -- 50 Books to Read Before You Die - 2012 (Weight: 63)
- score: 64 -- The Novel 100: A Ranking of the Greatest Novels of All Time - 2004 (Weight: 63)
- score: 63 -- The Best Classics - 2006 (Weight: 63)
- score: 63 -- The Book of Great Books: A Guide to 100 World Classics - 2001 (Weight: 63)
- score: 63 -- The Graphic Canon - 2012 (Weight: 63)
- score: 62 -- Waterstone's Books of the Century - 1997 (Weight: 60)
- score: 60 -- The 500 best books of all time from Culture Café users - 2008 (Weight: 60)
- score: 56 -- Harold Bloom's The Western Canon - 1994 (Weight: 56)
- score: 52 -- 50 Best Cult Books - 2016 (Weight: 52)
- score: 48 -- The Telegraph’s 100 Novels Everyone Should Read - 2009 (Weight: 48)
- score: 48 -- The Books You've Always Meant to Read - 2020 (Weight: 48)
- score: 48 -- The College Board: 101 Great Books Recommended for College-Bound Readers - 2002 (Weight: 48)
- score: 33 -- The 100 Best Books in the World - 2021 (Weight: 33)
- score: 33 -- 50 Books to Read Before You Die - 2015 (Weight: 33)