The Stranger (L'Étranger)

*The Stranger* (L'Étranger) by Albert Camus is a novel about Meursault, a detached French Algerian who reacts to life and death with emotional indifference. After his mother's death, he shows little grief and proceeds with mundane routines. The story peaks with his indifferent response to a murder he commits, highlighting themes of absurdity, existentialism, and society's expectations. Camus explores the idea that life lacks inherent meaning, and our reactions are subjective, challenging conventional morality. The novel invites reflection on authenticity, the nature of existence, and how individuals confront the absurd universe.