No, I don’t know a good book when I read it. Nevertheless, I enjoyed Camus’ The Stranger recently. It’s hard to write these reviews, because I would like to present the material in a humorous manner, but I can’t very well cover the book in whipped cream and throw it in our readers’ faces. I’d like to give you a good idea of what philosophical materials are dealt with in the book, but I can’t very well do it justice.

All I can say for certain is I like the book. I got a lot out of reading it. It takes a little bit of thinking, because the narrator doesn’t make long-winded, flowery connections from one thing to another. He feels, not in his head, but through his active appreciation of the sensual world. He’s so wrapped up in that, however, he fails to honor his contract with the religious world imposed upon him. I have a lot to say about the book and some of the philosophical questions we might ask after reading it, but that’s not very funny now is it?

What is funny however, is the plot. First off, we have this guy who is informed that his mother has died in a nursing home. Is he sad? No. Why? He probably hated the old bastard. I mean really, how many of us would not have carted Sophia Petrillo out to Shady Pines if we were Dorothy Spornac on the very first day she forgot where she put her glasses?

Anyhow, this guy doesn’t show any remorse at the funeral, while a bunch of old guys from the home bat their eyes out, probably because she was their last good chance for bad sex before their oncoming deaths. Our man commences his fun life of work and screwing his girlfriend who is apparently dumber than a box of dog poop (where can I get one of these?), because she stays with him even though he doesn’t really care if he marries her or not. Hello? Buddy? Tax break. Help the girl out here! Is this guy just too cheap to buy the ring?

Other Strangers:Woody (side), the gun crackin’ cowboy.
Keep your kids away from him!

Our pal makes friends with a pimp, too. And the pimp beats up one of his sluts (I kid you not, read the book, it’s groovy) and the narrator helps him write a letter to her explaining how it was all her fault. After the pimp is charged with pimpistry, our man testifies for the pimp in court and helps reduce the pimp-daddy’s sentence to a mere slap on the wrist. The whole gang, minus the broke down ho, take a trip to the beach, where the brother of the beaten woman and his gang of angry Arabs intend to put a whooping on somebody.

And as the song by the Cure would tell you, our narrator ends up “killing an Arab” on the beach with his friend’s gun in his hand. There’s a trial, and I won’t spoil it for you. Watch for yourself as our lethargic wonder conflicts civilization through crazy courtroom antics. See him yell to the jailhouse chaplain to leave him alone. You may call him one cold customer, but don’t call him late for dinner, because this guy likes his blood sausage, and he doesn’t care who’s serving it! Confused? Bewildered? Run, don’t walk… wait, no scroll, but scroll fast (don’t move your mouse, use the arrow keys or the little wheel between the mouse buttons if you have it, cause it’s faster) to the bottom of the page and buy this book from Amazon.com. Can you handle the Stone Cold Stranger? Hazzard 3:16 says, wrestling references are not a good way to end articles.

-Hazzard

Shameless Plug:
Buy this book on Amazon.com

More Information on Camus:
Another Review of The Stranger
About Albert Camus
Critical Interpretation (brainy!)
The Existence of Albert Camus
Interview with Camus’ Daughter
Camus No Longer Exists

i need critical reviews on camus the stranger where do oyu think i can find some of these sites.

I’d start by reading the book and thinking for yourself… ;P

your review of the stranger though wrong in certain parts was very funny.  it brightens up a high schoolers day when doing a project and finding nothing but monotomous crap they call reviews and then seeing your hilarious review it really makes us laugh.

You are so awesome!! I love your insite on the book… You make me laugh and i love the way you say what you want very bluntly. Sweeeet!!

Well I was definitely enlightened from reading your review thank you...thank you...thank you.

i peed.

I’m writing an analysis for my english class based on this book and your review had by far the least amount of bull s***.  i appreciate the honesty. i liked the reference to the girlfriend.

Your review was rather funny and intersting to read.  It was nice to see that you presented your information in an interesting way.  However, you are a jerk to ask for a girl who is dumber than a box of dog poop.  Obvioulsly you are a wimp if you can handle reading this book but not handle female companionship.

as Hazzard’s girlfriend of 3 years, I feel I must say a few things:
1. He is a jerk, yes.
2. He is a wimp. Totally. Right on.
3. Don’t believe a word he says. He is so my b****, and he loves it. LOVES IT, I say.

Yes very funny indeed… I’m teaching The Stranger to some fancy rich kids in a prep school in Sao Paulo, I’ll certainly send them a link to your site… they’re teenagers, they love dissent.

the comments were funni and a bit sexist but w.e. relax. im a female n though it was sorta offensive its nothing to get so pissy bout.