I found Meursault's reflections of his behavior during the trial very reminiscent of how people like Ahmaud Arbery's killers try to act - like they didn't know that by following someone around with a gun, they were aggressors, or almost as if they didn't know what a gun does at all, that its entire purpose is to kill a person. Events he's able to recall in minute detail are also, somehow, like a fugue state in which he doesn't know why he did anything, even though each act consistently escalated toward the murder. A book likely of interest is The Meursault Investigation by the Algerian writer Kamel Douad, though I haven't read it myself.
Yes that is a chilling comparison. Your point about him being able to recall details but be so detached at the same time is really interesting, makes the disconnect even more unsettling. Thank you for the recommendation, I’ve just looked it up and it seems like the perfect follow up. thank you for reading also :)
Cool article! It's one of my fav books, and your thoughts are really well woven into your language :) An off beat recommendation but Camus' 'A happy death' has parts that are re-writes (if I remember correctly) from 'the stranger' as well as Camus changes narrator in it. While the book is not as good as the stranger it is a fun addition to have read. Thanks for sharing your thoughts man. Would love to hear what you think of my latest work.
thank you so much for reading! yes I’ve heard of A Happy Death! but you’ve absolutely sold me on it, i’m adding it to the ever growing tbr 😅 and of course i will check out your latest piece soon :)
Your views on Meursault are really interesting and plausible! I find most incredible how you’ve drawn a parallel with our world. I completely agree with your observation on social performance. Amazing analysis :) You’ve made me want to read The Stranger again!
thank you for reading so thoughtfully! this was a difficult one to write because the questions around morality and meaning became more complicated the deeper i got into it. i’m so glad you enjoyed it!
I found Meursault's reflections of his behavior during the trial very reminiscent of how people like Ahmaud Arbery's killers try to act - like they didn't know that by following someone around with a gun, they were aggressors, or almost as if they didn't know what a gun does at all, that its entire purpose is to kill a person. Events he's able to recall in minute detail are also, somehow, like a fugue state in which he doesn't know why he did anything, even though each act consistently escalated toward the murder. A book likely of interest is The Meursault Investigation by the Algerian writer Kamel Douad, though I haven't read it myself.
Yes that is a chilling comparison. Your point about him being able to recall details but be so detached at the same time is really interesting, makes the disconnect even more unsettling. Thank you for the recommendation, I’ve just looked it up and it seems like the perfect follow up. thank you for reading also :)
This was wonderful! You've given me a newfound appreciation of the novel. I love the way you articulate your ideas so clearly and so poetically!
thank you so much!! that is the biggest compliment. poetical analysis is always the goal♥️
Cool article! It's one of my fav books, and your thoughts are really well woven into your language :) An off beat recommendation but Camus' 'A happy death' has parts that are re-writes (if I remember correctly) from 'the stranger' as well as Camus changes narrator in it. While the book is not as good as the stranger it is a fun addition to have read. Thanks for sharing your thoughts man. Would love to hear what you think of my latest work.
thank you so much for reading! yes I’ve heard of A Happy Death! but you’ve absolutely sold me on it, i’m adding it to the ever growing tbr 😅 and of course i will check out your latest piece soon :)
amazing :) thanks a ton Freyja
Your views on Meursault are really interesting and plausible! I find most incredible how you’ve drawn a parallel with our world. I completely agree with your observation on social performance. Amazing analysis :) You’ve made me want to read The Stranger again!
thank you for reading so thoughtfully! this was a difficult one to write because the questions around morality and meaning became more complicated the deeper i got into it. i’m so glad you enjoyed it!
I also wrote wrote about a very disturbing shooting in the Irish Civil War, thank you for your interesting and well expressed article
https://seangroganluxembourg.substack.com/p/brother-and-enemy-from-the-irish?r=5v3f3e