Library Journal Review

Meursault is sentenced to death for murder because he does not show culturally prescribed emotions, particularly at his mother's funeral. A dispassionate fellow driven mostly by sensations and detached curiosity, he savors sex with the charming Marie as well as the sights, sounds, and smells of his city, Algiers. But in befriending Raymond Sintès, a bully obsessed with petty revenge, his detachment leads him to kill unintentionally Sintès's enemy in his stead. Camus's classic novel elaborates on the nature of meaning and absurdity, and how religion, social expectations, love, and sensations influence us. Himself born in Algiers, Ferrandez (The Guest) excels with the pale vistas and brilliant light of Algeria, almost a character in the story. For many pages, the narrative panels float on larger watercolor landscapes or cityscapes that seem to shimmer. The figures appear somewhat static by contrast, embodying Meursault's disconnected viewpoint. No commentary is provided, leaving readers to interpret events for themselves. VERDICT This expressive and attractive version of Camus's challenging parable makes a fine introduction to the work for older teens through adults.-MC © Copyright 2016. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.