je t'aime: albert camus
my favourite works from a french writer and philosopher
Albert Camus is one of those writers whose works touch your soul in an achingly melancholic way. His poetry, prose and even speech are so poetic. Sometimes I watch old videos of him talking and admire how his voice carries command and elegance. While reading his works, sometimes I cry, sometimes I laugh, other times I think.
There are many things about this man that I love. I want to whisper and share some of his works with you. Albert Camus was truly a gem. Hopefully, his work touches you.
The Stranger (1942 novel)
This was the first work I read from Albert Camus. It is quite short so I picked it up to get out of my book slump that I was in. The prose was elegant and beautiful yet the words taught me so much and made me rethink my perspective on many things in life. All the characters are entertaining, beautiful and sad in a way that is so romantic. From the first line to the end, I was hooked and desperately drinking the words to know what would happen next as the story progressed. I will always recommend this.
The Plague (1947 novel)
This book is such an amazing depiction of philosophical fiction and demonstrates everyday heroism, as well as Camus’ absurdist beliefs. In a lot of Camus’ books, he writes many fictional stories as metaphors and allegories for historical events which makes his words much more intriguing to read and ponder about. I read this right after The Stranger and was in awe at the quality of his work and the way he has a serious command over the syntax. I want to learn French just to be able to read his works in their raw original form. This book holds a tender place in my heart. I love it.
The Myth of Sisyphus (1942 essay)
I read this essay because I’m a huge Greek mythology enthusiast. Reading through his analysis and philosophies was so refreshing and new to me. The way Camus explores the absurd in how he identifies as coming about in the confrontation between our desire for clarity and our understanding of the world’s irrationality. I’ve read a lot of essays analysing and interpreting many Greek mythologies but when people ask me for essays that stood out to me, The Myth of Sisyphus is always one of the essays I recommend. It is mature yet playful, juggling both heavy and light topics. I adored it.
A Happy Death (1971 novel)
This was Camus’ first novel and is connected to The Stranger. If you are not in a good place mentally or have suicidal idealisations, you should not read this book. It covers a very touchy topic of existentialism and the “will to happiness.” Camus writes about the conscious creation of one’s happiness and the desperation of time to do so. There was a line that struck me. Now and then, it creeps into my thoughts, heart and sleep:
“Should I kill myself, or have a cup of coffee? But in the end, one needs more courage to live than to kill himself.”
The Misunderstanding (1943 play)
This play focuses on the absurd and on identity. Who are you? What are the people and the things that form together in a jumbled mix to make you? It is a very sad play but the plot was intriguing and got me on edge, wanting more. Although Camus’ novels are more recognised, I have a much softer spot for his plays. Very whimsical.
“There is no sun without shadow and it is essential to know the night.” — Albert Camus