tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post1085341345124679317..comments2024-02-29T02:54:19.767-05:00Comments on Babbling Books: The Fall by Albert CamusBrian Josephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comBlogger40125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-80956366514052633152018-12-21T05:13:43.431-05:002018-12-21T05:13:43.431-05:00Hi Stenote - Thanls for stopping by. Indeed, telli...Hi Stenote - Thanls for stopping by. Indeed, telling a criminal the crime is not thier fault will likly make them happy.,Csn you repost your link? t does not seem to work.,Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-45538913104827308622018-12-21T01:46:07.883-05:002018-12-21T01:46:07.883-05:00Good quotation: if you tell a criminal that his cr...Good quotation: if you tell a criminal that his crime is not due to his nature or his character but to unfortunate circumstances, he will be extravagantly grateful to you.<br /><br />May I share a blog about an Interview with Albert Camus (imaginary) in https://stenote.blogspot.com/2018/08/an-interview-with-albert_12.html<br /><br />stenotehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01036496407806809635noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-46198805255401254432017-05-02T09:45:57.915-04:002017-05-02T09:45:57.915-04:00Hi Lainy - Though much of the book takes place in ...Hi Lainy - Though much of the book takes place in Amsterdam, there is not too much about the city. <br /><br />Still it is worth reading. <br /><br />Have fun on your trip! Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-745003215873151642017-05-02T07:53:06.478-04:002017-05-02T07:53:06.478-04:00Oooh Brian I am going to Amsterdam later in the ye...Oooh Brian I am going to Amsterdam later in the year, be first time going. I have never read this author, I think I would like to read this at some point but maybe check out the other books you mentioned in the comments to others.<br /><br />Lainy http://www.alwaysreading.netSo many books, so little timehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07564778178609301461noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-67597039270841605532017-05-02T03:46:32.800-04:002017-05-02T03:46:32.800-04:00Thanks Resh - This book was very good. I liked bo...Thanks Resh - This book was very good. I liked both The Plague and The Stranger better however. Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-77115432329086325812017-05-02T03:21:03.578-04:002017-05-02T03:21:03.578-04:00I have not read Camus previously. I have always be...I have not read Camus previously. I have always been recommended The Plague to start with. I think this book would be a great start too. Great reviewResh Susanhttp://www.thebooksatchel.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-53405266037282015582017-05-01T20:18:39.638-04:002017-05-01T20:18:39.638-04:00Thanks Maria.
I have actually just finished a col...Thanks Maria.<br /><br />I have actually just finished a collection of Kafka’s short stories. I will be posting something on it soon. Camus did not write about absurd events. He just saw lots of aspects of everyday existence as absurd, The Kafka stories I read were full of absurd happenings. <br /><br />Though Camus was an atheist he was fascinated by Christianity. Especially Catholic beliefs. He both criticized and praised Christianity. As I recall The Stranger was very critical of it. The Plague was more complimentary then critical. As you point out, this book was influenced by Catholic beliefs. <br /><br />It ios interesting what you say about religion and morality. I was thinking about putting up a post on it. There is a school of thought that people posses a certain level of morality. Then they fit their belief system, be it Christian, Hindi, Muslim, Atheist etc. to fit their own morality. Though there is truth to this I thing it is a bit more complicated.<br /><br />I think that you would like this book. However, I did thing that both The Stranger and The Plague were better. I think that you would really like The Plague. It has a strong moral message about helping others. <br /><br />Have a great week!<br />Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-31408870098085346712017-05-01T13:12:29.248-04:002017-05-01T13:12:29.248-04:00OUTSTANDING commentary as usual, Brian!!
I must a...OUTSTANDING commentary as usual, Brian!!<br /><br />I must admit to only a cursory knowledge of the works of the existentialists. I've never read Camus. I did attempt to read Kafka's "The Castle" years ago, only to give up halfway through the novel. It was the absurdity of the events -- which was precisely Kafka's point -- that finally just got to me. I couldn't take it anymore....<br /><br />Any novel by Camus would probably do the same thing to me -- just make me give up on the book. However, the one you've reviewed here does have an excellent theme. It is indeed true that we humans tend to view ourselves as innocent, while the rest of the world is guilty of the most egregious faults. We also tend to believe in the superiority of our own spirituality and ideology.<br /><br />I really like this quote from your post: "In short, this book is an exploration of the wrongs that all people commit. It is a grim indictment on all humanity. No one is innocent. To be human is to be deeply flawed." This is a very grim thought, indeed! However, this is precisely what the Judeo-Christian tradition asserts. Specifically in the case of Christianity, all humans are declare to be sinners in need of salvation. No one is exempt. <br /><br />On the other hand, I also like your point about degrees of wrongdoing not being taken into account in this novel. This surely sounds fair. According to the Protestant interpretation of sin, there's no such thing as one type of sin being "less evil" than another. All sin is sin. In Catholic theology, however, there is the concept of venial and mortal sin, which, of course, you're already familiar with.<br /><br />It all boils down to Biblical interpretation. If I won the lottery tomorrow, I would DEFINITELY register for several courses in Hermeneutics, as I am very much interested in correct Biblical interpretation. I would also take courses in dealing with the violence rampant in the Old Testament, much of it coming from God Himself.<br /><br />I would also want to see, in greater detail, how philosophy ties into the Christian view of sin. It all depends, naturally, on which philosophers and philosophical schools I studied. The Catholic Church, for instance, is very big on Aquinas and Aristotle. I'm not sure about what the evangelical position on this would be, but I have a feeling it completely disparages philosophy as being nothing more than human attempts to use reason to acquire truths already present in Christianity. So I would definitely investigate this assertion, as well.<br /><br />In line with the theme of this novel, I would like to add that, sadly enough, we Christians have no right to feel smug about our supposed moral superiority. We are just as human as anyone else, and just as prone to injustice and the judging of others. Ironically, it was Jesus Himself who advised us to look at our own sins before presuming to stone others for theirs. He made this very important point in the incident of the woman caught in adultery. The people who had brought her to Him were all fired up, ready to stone her. But Jesus calmly told them, "He who is without sin, let him cast the first stone." <br /><br />Methinks I need to read this book, forsooth!!<br /><br />Thanks for your highly interesting insights!! Hope you're having a WONDERFUL day!! <3 :) <br />Maria Beharhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13635809880830316283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-1995441226104901392017-05-01T05:11:09.374-04:002017-05-01T05:11:09.374-04:00Hi Hila - I liked The Stranger the best followed c...Hi Hila - I liked The Stranger the best followed closely by The Plague. This book was very good but I thought that it was not as good as those two.<br /><br />One can say that Camus thinking was all or nothing here. He throws all of humanity in as guilty of all. Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-31077271040813169382017-05-01T05:08:23.869-04:002017-05-01T05:08:23.869-04:00Thanks Baili.
I agree that monologues often refle...Thanks Baili.<br /><br />I agree that monologues often reflect self absorption. The main character in this book a very self absorbed book.<br /><br />I hope that you can find this book. It is a short read. <br /><br />Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-19794785188954188052017-05-01T04:22:50.399-04:002017-05-01T04:22:50.399-04:00Monologues are more applied when one is obsessed ...Monologues are more applied when one is obsessed with self judgement particularly .<br />this work of Camus sounds quite inviting ,i really wish one i can find book and time to read this as human psyche is described more profoundly in such works i think and i love such writing .<br /><br />i agree that mostly people judge others to reduce their guilt but i also realize that there is also at least one percent chance of being fair .<br />Excellent work brain! bailihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06498012175058870980noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-28696772334566747112017-05-01T01:54:58.905-04:002017-05-01T01:54:58.905-04:00"There is almost nothing about shades of wron..."There is almost nothing about shades of wrong behavior. Surely the actions of a murderer, a rapist, someone who tortures others, etc. cannot be seen as morally equivalent to more mundane frailties."<br /><br />Is this lack of nuance an example of all-or-nothing thinking? People's judgments about many issues seems to become myopic when they see things as either all good or all bad, for instance.<br /><br />I'm unfamiliar with Camus' work. What would your recommend reading first if I wanted to start on his writings?<br />HKatzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17653570160517335758noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-56378186985471965072017-04-30T09:56:58.053-04:002017-04-30T09:56:58.053-04:00Hi Susan - I thought that the philosophy in The St...Hi Susan - I thought that the philosophy in The Stranger and the Plague was fairly clear cut. In this book I wanted more. Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-61830504638508792522017-04-30T09:52:55.203-04:002017-04-30T09:52:55.203-04:00Yeah I found Camus difficult to read and I definit...Yeah I found Camus difficult to read and I definitely needed a guide on his philosophy along the way. His philosophy seems quite dark and not thoroughly fleshed out. He seems to leave it enigmatic. thecuecardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08870323589682197091noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-25026047801157909572017-04-30T01:36:46.349-04:002017-04-30T01:36:46.349-04:00You are very humble, my friend ! Have a great Sund...You are very humble, my friend ! Have a great Sunday :)The Reader's Taleshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12701126931175725145noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-13889013440603106282017-04-29T18:09:53.936-04:002017-04-29T18:09:53.936-04:00Thanks Caroline. I really liked this book but I li...Thanks Caroline. I really liked this book but I liked La Peste better. With that, he is writer that I like a lot and he is one of my favorites. Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-65379838356579872872017-04-29T17:36:59.114-04:002017-04-29T17:36:59.114-04:00Thanks James - I find that that writers who throw ...Thanks James - I find that that writers who throw out a lot of controversial ideas are bound to drive some disagreement in most people. As you say because they present challenging ideas in such a way, writers like Camus are well worth reading. Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-32380507874426535082017-04-29T15:16:44.857-04:002017-04-29T15:16:44.857-04:00Hi Jacqui - Though this book was well worth readin...Hi Jacqui - Though this book was well worth reading, I liked The Stranger better. Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-4868913009475241352017-04-29T13:28:33.951-04:002017-04-29T13:28:33.951-04:00Sounds like classic Camus. I've only read The ...Sounds like classic Camus. I've only read The Stranger/The Outsider, and that was a while ago, but this appears to bear all the hallmarks of his best work. JacquiWinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16220597283351925721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-73734018814827984122017-04-29T12:35:23.908-04:002017-04-29T12:35:23.908-04:00Great review of a difficult text. Your comment re...Great review of a difficult text. Your comment regarding how this book is "a feast of ideas for the philosophical reader" is one of the reasons I like this book and Camus' work in general. However much I disagree with him his writing challenges me to think about issues important to humanity and my life. <br />Thanks for engaging with this exceptional work.Jameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00561320676355168336noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-48173913389073762772017-04-29T12:28:10.956-04:002017-04-29T12:28:10.956-04:00Great review, Brian. I've read thus years ago ...Great review, Brian. I've read thus years ago together with his other novels. La Peste is still my favourite but I remember finding this thought provoking. It's unjustly neglected, I find. I'm really pleased to see a review of it.Carolinehttp://beautyisasleepingcat.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-60377383491777905272017-04-29T10:36:36.997-04:002017-04-29T10:36:36.997-04:00Hi Kathy - Though an atheist, In all his novels C...Hi Kathy - Though an atheist, In all his novels Camus talked a lot about Catholic beliefs. He really intertwined them into this book. <br /><br />Guilt consuming lives is also important in this book. It consumes Clamence for awhile. Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-41569380519801155642017-04-29T08:45:43.931-04:002017-04-29T08:45:43.931-04:00Hi Brian, I have never read Camus but your really ...Hi Brian, I have never read Camus but your really fine review of the Fall has me very interested. Sounds like in the creation of Clamence, Camus was trying to work out for himself how best to live with guilt, make ammends if we can, but not have it consume our lives. And I'm wondering if his numerous references to Dante is Camus making a point about religion and guilt and the fear that is always close by.Kathy's Cornerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03967595794483824444noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-89484613898162720882017-04-28T20:52:43.951-04:002017-04-28T20:52:43.951-04:00Thanks Suko.
The Stranger is one of my favorite b...Thanks Suko.<br /><br />The Stranger is one of my favorite books. I liked this novel but I liked The Stranger better. Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-54540565785191959122017-04-28T20:51:16.021-04:002017-04-28T20:51:16.021-04:00Hi CyberKitten - This can be challenging book. As ...Hi CyberKitten - This can be challenging book. As I mentioned if I did know the basics of Camus's philosophy going in I would have been hopelessly confused. Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.com