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savita
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Vatsal Rathod
madhavareddydonapati
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smallcapdreamer
“Mother died today. Or maybe yesterday, I don’t know. I had a telegram from the home: ‘Mother passed away. Funeral tomorrow. Yours Sincerely.’ That doesn’t mean anything . It may have been yesterday.”
are the opening lines of the 118-paged, modern classic “The Outsider” authored by Albert Camus. The protagonist, Meresault, soon after he receives the telegram takes leave from work , which his boss reluctantly gives and visits his mother’s funeral but little does he show a feeling of pain neither does he weep to show his emotions.
“The room was too hot “ he says. After catching up on his sleep and drinking white coffee, he visits the funeral of his mother. The same day he goes to visit his girlfriend, Marie and then they go for a movie, where he apparently enjoys thoroughly.
Meresault seldom talks about his mother after math. The only time he talks of her profusely is when he allegedly murders a Arab at a beach and during the hearing of the case when the prosecution lawyer blames him for his insensitive nature, he says he loved her like everyone does.
And soon feels tired of speaking. Meresault is an Outsider to the society where every action of his is from his heart and not to please the world. Hence people treat him differently.
The author summarized his book in one powerful sentence “In our society a man who doesn’t cry at his mother’s funeral is condemned to death”
Read the book to know more about Meresault. This Nobel-prize-winning book actually made me feel like an Outsider too at some places. A modern tale of Harischandra, if I am allowed to say so.
Filed under: Commemoration Tagged: | Albert Camus, Book Review
Sounds Interesting…will catch up!
I am reading “The Myth of Sisyphus” by Albert Camus for the past 1 year.. It is a series of essays… I took 2 minutes to reflect on each and every line..
This one seems to be a novel.. i hope it wont be that heavy !!!
Yes! It is not that heavy. I have heard about Myth of Sisyphuss. And those who have read it have said the same.
hey I guess I must read this one.. looks like its based on me!!!
hahahaha… i felt some where the same too
Your comparison to Harischandra is an interesting one. I can see the similarities in relation to Meursault’s strict adherence to objective truth as he sees it, although they are planes apart philosophically.
Anyway, thanks for an interesting review. It’s been good to read other people’s thoughts about the book as I have been writing my review and analysis.
Thank you Matthew. Am not much into philosophy, So I cannot comment on the philosophical art.
Thanks for your comment.
I will go through your review and analysis
Cool, do let me know what you think
I probably started to pay more attention to philosophy in general after reading this the first time round – it just really worked for me
Cool, which are you reading? I think I read Nausea a few years ago, but can’t remember much about the details. I also gave Being and Nothingness a go, but ended up drifting into something else.
I will start Nausea. I am currently writing “Those Spoke Zarathustra” Once i am done then I’ll read it.
Cool, another one I read a few years ago, but don’t remember too well. You certainly ‘write’ some interesting stuff
I meant reading* — ooops!
Well, I was flabbergasted when I saw the word writing!
Haha!
So was i 
! After seeing the comment 