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__ The Algiers Chronicle __September 2, 2010

=__"The Stranger" Overview__=

====Albert Camus's book "The Stranger" is sure to capture readers. This book is about a man who doesn't really understand life and to him it's nothing but a game. Even when his mom dies, who he sent to live in a nursing home, he doesn't seem to really care. After attending his mother's funeral, Meursault spent his days at home drinking, smoking cigars, and spending time with his girlfriend, Marie. Meursault quickly befriended another tenant in the apartment building he lived in and became engaged to Marie, even though he didn't know if he loved her. When Raymond beat an Arab girl, her brother wanted to seek revenge by jumping Raymond and Meursault said he would watch his back.====

====A few days later, a relaxing beach trip was turned into a murder case when Meursault killed the Arab that wanted revenge. In his trial, Meursault said the sun made him commit the senseless act, but no one believed him. He spent his many days in jail during the trial not really thinking about what was happening and not caring about his lack of entertainment or freedom. It never changed his mood when Marie visited him and he didn't miss her too badly, which showed his lack of emotion.====

====After he was found guilty of murder, Meursault spent his days in a lonely prison cell refusing visits from a chaplain. He sat and thought about life and what it would be like if things had turned out differently and how he couldn't believe that his life was about to be over. All the things he had loved and taken for granted were about to be stripped away from him but instead of being pitiful, he found ways to cope and deal with the execution.====

====As the day of his execution arrives, Meursault saw the chaplain but refused to have a change in heart. Out of nowhere his emotions came out and he started yelling at the chaplain about what he felt and how he has dealt with things. After his outburst, Meursault was taken to his execution where he hoped people would be gathered screaming cries of hate at him.====

====Overall, I enjoyed the book a lot. The way Meursault was portrayed was very interesting and made the book different than any other I have ever read. I highly recommend this book to readers who are interested in the way people think and feel. This book is a great read for anyone who is thirteen or older and likes a book that explores a characters mind.====