A riveting and utterly haunting book, this anthology of Camus’s short stories is not only my favorite of all his works, but it is one of the best books I have ever read.
The underlying theme in each of his stories is exile, whether it be spiritual, physical, or mental. From the tale of the school teacher put in care of an Arab prisoner to the missionary who finds himself worshipping a cruel graven image, each tale pits man in a pivotal moment in time which defines his future. This is at the very heart of existentialism, a predominant literary vehicle of contemporary authors.
The tales are simple in style, yet vividly written and rich in detail. You’ll find youself shocked by the tragic irony in each of the characters, and haunted by the stories for years to come.