The Stranger [The Outsider]

This book by Albert Camus was my first by this author. Its a short story, philosophical. I searched on Wiki, & it seems the philosophy stated in this book is termed as "Absurdism". This implies that a mans effort to find the meaning of universe etc ultimately fails & hence is absurd cuz no such meaning exists.

The protagonist Meursault, is a very passive person, he seems to be enjoying life & the pleasures in life, day to day happenings, doesn't give much thought to "why", isn't effected by the harshness in life. He does not believe in God & cannot express remorse. He is kind of person who believes that ultimately the end is same so how does it matter whether he has done this or that, or whether he should believe in something or not, cuz however one behaves, whatever one does, ultimately the end is same, "death".

I really enjoyed reading this book, cuz I enjoy such philosophical read. The story gave an insight to a different kind of personality, thought process, something called absurdism. I pondered on the views of the protagonist, that does it really matter? As he says, life in the world goes on n on, it doesn't make any difference. But still we try to find meaning in everything, in the course of happenings. Probably that is for our own peace of mind that we search for meaning, cuz that is our nature.

Another line I really liked in this book was, which I think is quite true as well - "In the long run, one gets used to anything".