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Literary Fiction· France

The Stranger

by Albert Camus
Aggregate Editorial Score79/100
★Nobel Prize in Literature
Published 1957143 pagesEnglish
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About This Book

The Stranger by Albert Camus is a landmark work of literary fiction, first published in 1957. Meursault, an emotionally detached Frenchman in colonial Algeria, kills an Arab man on a beach and faces trial less for the murder than for his failure to grieve his mother. Camus's existentialist novella is a foundational text of absurdist philosophy and remains one of the most widely read French novels worldwide. Themes of absurdism, alienation, death run through the work. The book has received recognition from Nobel Prize in Literature 1957 and Times Literary Supplement 1942.

Book Details

AuthorAlbert Camus
Published1957
Country of Origin🇫🇷 France
LanguageEnglish
Pages143
Category📖 Literary Fiction
ISBN9780679720201
Editorial Score79/100
About the Category

📖 Literary Fiction

Character-driven fiction that prioritises style, theme, and psychological depth.

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Country of Origin

🇫🇷 France

This book is part of France's rich literary tradition.

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Editorial Assessment

Albert Camus published The Stranger in 1957, and it has since become one of the more widely recognised works of literary fiction from France. The book's treatment of absurdism, alienation, death, colonialism accounts for much of its enduring reputation. Among its recognitions: Nobel Prize in Literature 1957; Times Literary Supplement 1942; ALA Notable Books 1942. With an editorial score of 79/100 drawn from 3 independent sources, the book occupies a well-documented position in the critical literature. Its recognition spans international prizes, "best of" lists, and academic surveys. What distinguishes The Stranger is how it handles its central concerns — absurdism, alienation, death, colonialism — without reducing them to neat conclusions. The book invites close reading and holds up well to it. The Stranger reflects Albert Camus's place in a wider literary tradition. The book's concerns resonate with France's broader cultural preoccupations, even as they reach beyond any single national context.
About this assessment: Editorial scores are aggregated from 3 independent sources including major literary prizes, critical surveys, and leading publications. Our editorial team reviews and contextualises this data. Rankings reflect critical consensus, not personal opinion or popularity metrics. Learn about our methodology.

Awards & Recognition

Nobel Prize in Literature
winner · global
195760
Times Literary Supplement
list · global
194212
ALA Notable Books
notable · national
194210
✍️
About the Author
Albert Camus
France
View Author →

Albert Camus is a celebrated author from France known for influential works of literary fiction.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is The Stranger about?

Meursault, an emotionally detached Frenchman in colonial Algeria, kills an Arab man on a beach and faces trial less for the murder than for his failure to grieve his mother. Camus's existentialist novella is a foundational text of absurdist philosophy and remains one of the most widely read French novels worldwide.

Who wrote The Stranger?

The Stranger was written by Albert Camus, from France. First published in 1957.

What awards has The Stranger won?

The Stranger has received the following awards and honours: Nobel Prize in Literature 1957; Times Literary Supplement 1942; ALA Notable Books 1942.

Is The Stranger worth reading?

The Stranger is a widely acclaimed work with strong critical consensus, with an aggregate editorial score of 77/100 on 50 Best Books, based on mentions across 3 editorial sources. It is particularly recommended for readers interested in absurdism, alienation, death.

Where can I buy The Stranger?

You can buy The Stranger on Amazon. Click the Buy on Amazon button above to find the best edition.

What category is The Stranger?

The Stranger is classified as Literary Fiction. Character-driven fiction that prioritises style, theme, and psychological depth.

What country is The Stranger from?

The Stranger originates from France's literary tradition. Explore more books from France on our country page.

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