Der Fall | 
pickA thought provoking essay seemingly with some subtle political nuance as it was written in 1956 at a time when the Algerian War was ongoing. The narrative slips from confession to plea to accusation, which reveals the struggle with an inferno which is both historical and modern and resides both inside ourselves and in the outside world.
And, to pick up the thread. If I am correct, if the novel is all about narcissist thinking to have overcome his narcissism only to show the reader that he hasn‘t, why does it take Camus 128 pages, or the narrator almost 4 hours, to make his point clear⁉️
I saw through it after a little bit less than one hour. Any more proof needed that Camus is just waffling in there❓🙄
I‘m still thinking about it.
Am I the only one who feels mind-trapped about it❓
See: The protagonists led an altruistic life but for the wrong , for selfish reasons. He always wanted audience to see his good deeds. So he needed witnesses. But after he became aware of this bad trait he changed himself and his personality.
Well, if he did, why does he still need someone who listens to that story of change that he has undergone❓🤔🤯
bailedA former lawyer ponders his old self. He used to be very helpful, but his motives were purely selfish. Altruism as a means to an end in itself.
I didn‘t get further into the plot and am not going any further.
I‘m bored with the high-minded language and the exaggerated narrative. Can‘t stand both for 3 more hours …
I‘d continue if Camus‘ protagonist would get to the point but the waffling narcissism annoys me. #SorryNotSorry
On to the next. 😃
I admit: I thought: “Oh, only three hours, this will be a fast pleasure.“
Well, it won‘t. It‘s strong stuff. You are thrown right into the “plot” without a framework, without knowing what‘s going on – and it seems that you get 3 hours of monologue.
Strenuous to listen 👂🏼 to.
Oh dear, this is one of the covers that causes severe pain in the eyes of the one who is looking at it, isn‘t it❓
But to be honest, I have a bit of a crush on Jean Paul Sartre and his „brother in existentialism“, Albert Camus, since we read “No Exit“ in my French advanced class at school (loooong ago). I liked it better than „The Plague“ but wanted to read more by Camus when I accidentally stumbled across this audiobook at my library.
pickThe protagonist had a lofty idea about himself. He helped people without asking for anything in return. He fought for justice and was uncompromising about truth.
His bubble of self illusion bursts after a small incident. He did nothing to help a girl who presumably had committed suicide by jumping into water before him. This incident shatters the very construct of his selfhood.
The novel ends with the aforesaid sinister note. (Quote in image)
so-soThere is some wonderful stuff in here that really cuts through to the easence of human existence, but there is also a pretention around some of the later pages that made it a bit of a battle to keep reading after he loses his vices and debauchery. Maybe that says a lot about me...
“Puis-je, monsieur, vous proposer mes services, sans risquer d‘être importun? Je crains que vous ne sachiez vous faire entendre de l‘estimable gorille qui préside aux destinées de cet établissement.” #firstlines
pickIn a seedy bar in Amsterdam you are approached by equally seedy man who claims to have been a noted lawyer in Paris, a man with all that is perceived to be required, success, money, admiration, the love of the opposite sex, generosity and then one small incident changes everything. As you meet again and again he tells you of his life, his failings and what has lead him to his current role as Judge Penitent. An insightful story of how we fashion..
Men are never convinced of your reasons, of your sincerity, of the seriousness of your sufferings, except by your death. So long as you are alive, your case is doubtful; you have a right only to their skepticism.
You know what charm is: a way of getting the answer yes without having asked any clear question.
Believe me, the hardest thing for a man to give up is that which he doesn't really want, after all.
pickThe Fall by Albert Camus is the best existential confession since Notes From the Underground. Complex, authentic, insightful, and starkly honest, Camus again proves just how sharp his mind is, and just how absurd the human condition continues to be. 9.2/10 stars.
Day seven- I like picking up well-loved books, wondering what other book shelves they may have graced. #riotgrams
Current mood: The Fall. Going to work while you're running a temp is never fun, but with Camus by your side, life doesn't seem too bad. Coupled with my lovely magnetic bookmark from the Prints in Paris temporary exhibit from the Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam.
Mark E. Smith named his (post) punk band The Fall after Camus's novel. They've been recording since the 70's and are pretty damn awesome. A good primer is their retrospective "50,000 Fall Fans Can't Be Wrong."
#marchintoreading #thistitleequalsgreatbandname
pickThis book will make you self-evaluate like no other.
Men are never convinced of your reasons, of your sincerity, of the seriousness of your sufferings, except by your death. So long as you are alive, your case is doubtful; you have a right only to their skepticism.
"It always seemed to me our fellow citizens (the French) have two passions: ideas and fornication."
I really should have started reading Camus years ago.
It has been so long I read anything in French. How about you? do you read in any other language then English?
"...who one evening recognized that he had never loved her. He had been bored, that's all, bored like most people. Hence he had made himself out of whole cloth a life full of complications and drama. Something must happen--and that explains most human commitments."
Just about to start The Fall - read The Outsider a couple of years ago and found it fascinating 📖📖
