Albert Camus
1947
Around 310 pages
Well, I am sure there was an upswing in sales for this particular novel about seven apocalypses ago. I've never enjoyed media relating to outbreaks, I would rather just live in denial (which is uniquely challenging in 2022).
A plague hits the city of Oran, and naturally the government is slow to respond to the situation and when they do interfere, it makes the situation a bajillion times worse. Our main character is Dr. Bernard Rieux, and he is among the first to discover the plague after his apartment building's concierge dies.
So this certainly hits different now, it's clear the world was completely unprepared for the inevitable pandemic. Given its historical context, the novel also works as a metaphor for the Nazi Occupation of France. It's so easy to let a situation get out of control simply by carrying on as though everything was normal.
I don't know if it's possible for humanity to wise up, but Camus seems to think so.
RATING: ****-
Interesting Facts:
Interesting Facts:
Adapted into a radio play in 2020.
UP NEXT: Doctor Faustus by Thomas Mann
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