The Stranger

The Ward translation of "The Stranger," while not universally loved (many prefer the Gilbert translation which I have not read), works well for this audiobook. The reading is well done and recorded properly. It is, pretty much, a perfect audiobook.

A narrator is so important that he or she can make a bad book or break a good book.

In this case, a great book is done even more justice by the narration. Highly recommended.

I sat and listened almost non-stop to this excellent reading of The Sranger. Davis is obviously very familiar with the work and his rendition improved my understanding.

This was an excellent translation. (I had previously read the book in the original French.) The translator's notes at the end were very interesting. The narrator sounded exactly like I would imagine Meursault would have sounded if the book had originally been written in English.

Another classic makes its way to audio in fine form. If you haven't read The Stranger since high school, you may be surprised by which details you remembered and which you forgot (something of a Rorschach in that respect). Regardless of recall, however, you are apt to get more out of this book the second time around, especially because of the version used and the narrator who gives the work a proper and penetrating rhythm that can be missed by the hurried eyes of a reader working the page.

I tried several times to read this book but it never held my attention. The audio quality and the tone and inflection of the reader was excellent so that the story became quite interesting and made for easy listening.

It seems a lifetime ago that I first encountered Camus in philosophy classes. I was haunted by him then and the effects have remained with me all these years so I was delighted to have an opportunity to go back to "The Stranger" and read/hear it again. It is fiction but as Camus said (loosely), the novel is just philosophy expressed graphically. It was written in the 1940s when the European world was embroiled in terrible conflicts that called into question all previous beliefs. The Existentialists like Sartre and Camus asked tough questions and this novel expresses those questions in the life of one ordinary man whose life has lost meaning. It is beautifully read and will haunt you.

the stranger.
From the cure’s first album came a song inspired by this book. the song is called killing an Arab. I remember the controversy t created in the Arab community and parts of the world. The albums soon required a sticker on the front that gave a brief explanation. It was something to the effect of: this song is not about hatred of Arabs. It is based on the character in the novel the stranger. I had never read this book but when I joined audible it popped in my mind and I got it.
Well thank god for Robert smith (the cure’s singer/songwriter) cuz I love this book. I listen to it over and over. I really identify with the main character. And seeing myself in him helped me too understand some of my natures and come to peace with them. Ahh it is a wonderful book. besides it’s philosophical character it is a great story. This is one of my favorite books.
best, Maynard

Having read and taught the novel for years, I had a very different experience when listening to it. It gave me a new appreciation for the rhythm of the narrative.

This is the novel that defines existentialism. Well read and presented here.

The narrator brought the character of Mersault and Camus philosophy to life superbly, his intonation and pronunciation perfectly echoed what I thought the character felt and had me reeling for some days afterwards, thinking if he was indeed right and if nothing really does matter.

Unlike so many other books of depression and nihilism this one (note spoiler coming) does not have a happy ending. This for me only adds to its greatness.

Overall I would definitely recommend this book and this narration.