Is it possible to die a happy death? This is the central question of Camus' astonishing early novel, published posthumously and greeted as a major literary event. It tells the story of a young Algerian, Mersault, who defies society's rules by committing a murder and escaping punishment, then experimenting with different ways of life and finally dying a happy man. In many ways, "A Happy Death" is a fascinating first sketch for "The Outsider", but it can also be seen as a candid self-portrait, drawing on Camus' memories of his youth, travels and early relationships. It is infused with lyrical descriptions of the sun-drenched Algiers of his childhood - the place where, eventually, Mersault is able to find peace and die 'without anger, without hatred, without regret'.
What's Bookie?
- Free delivery in Germany.
- Find your perfect next read.
- Track to motivate you to read more.
- Connect with people like you.
Albert Camus A Happy Death (Penguin Modern Classics) /anglais
By Albert Camus
Is it possible to die a happy death? This is the central question of Camus' astonishing early novel, published posthumously and greeted as a major literary event. It tells the story of a young Algerian, Mersault, who defies society's rules by committing a murder and escaping punishment, then experimenting with different ways of life and finally dying a happy man. In many ways, "A Happy Death" is a fascinating first sketch for "The Outsider", but it can also be seen as a candid self-portrait, drawing on Camus' memories of his youth, travels and early relationships. It is infused with lyrical descriptions of the sun-drenched Algiers of his childhood - the place where, eventually, Mersault is able to find peace and die 'without anger, without hatred, without regret'.
Popular Reviews(1)
Reviewed by AntoniaI finally got around to reading another one of Camus' books and it did not disappoint. This book is about a man who believes that he can't be happy because he's poor and goes on to kill a man and steal his money in order to attain happiness and die a "happy death". I loved the analysis of happiness and that one must have the will to be happy to actually feel happiness. The book critiques a life without meaning that Mersault is desperately trying to escape. It also explores how important money is in order to be happy. Zagreus, one of the characters tells Mersault at the beginning of the book, that he doesn't think money buys happiness, but he does think that it can provide resources that are important to being happy. This isn't the most important detail but something that stood out to me was the way that Camus describes cities and landscapes in this book, of which there are a lot as the main character travels a lot. He just makes them feel so alive which I thought was really special. Also what possessed this man to give the main character almost exactly the same name as the one in "The Stranger"?? Had me confused for quite some time because I thought it might be the same one? But no, Meursault has a "u" more than Mersault!! This might have some deeper meaning though idk. I'm really looking forward to reading more of his books, I think I want to read The Plague next!! "But sometimes it takes more courage to live than to shoot yourself." "An intense and secret fervor swelled within him, and it was a nostalgia for cities filled with sunlight and women, with the green evenings that close all wounds. Tears burst from his eyes. Inside him widened a great lake of solitude and silence above which ran the sad song of his deliverance."