The Fall

By: Albert Camus

Narrated by: Edoardo Ballerini

Length: 3 hrs and 5 mins

Publisher's summary

Elegantly styled, Camus' profoundly disturbing novel of a Parisian lawyer's confessions is a searing study of modern amorality.

Born in Algeria in 1913, Albert Camus published The Stranger - now one of the most widely read novels of this century - in 1942. Celebrated in intellectual circles, Camus was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1957.

©1956, 1984 Alfred A. Knopf, Inc. (P)2018 Recorded Books

existentialism at its best

The narrative starts with such a passion and speed that I had to rewind and listen again and to fully grasp the mood. The initial impact results in a disorientation at first. Yet, one starts to see everyday people, city dwellers, as well as movers and shakers with such an intimate portrait that it is impossible to end this book without being mesmerized with a strong sense of spiritual enlightenment. A must to understand humanity and for those who question the purpose of life, with this audio edition of The Fall, Camus finds its meaning with Ballerini's powerful voice.

Amazingly immersive experience!

How can a Three Hour Monologue be so completely mesmerizing and enthralling that the Listener cannot tear himself away? That is the question that I posed to myself after finishing this Performance in one sitting.

I guess the answer is the confluence of Camus’ incredibly dramatic prose and Ballerini’s powerfully emotional narration. We hang on every syllable of Clamence’s confessional spiral from successful Bourgeois Lawyer down to a rambling Barfly who self-identifies as a "judge-penitent". He preaches a doctrine of surrendering freedom as a technique to endure a life of suffering in a world meaningless without a God or objective truth. Clamence, through his confession, sits in permanent judgment of himself and others,

This tragically sad account somehow has the power, at least to me, to actually thrill and inspire the Reader to stand up and confront the Realities of Existence, rather than seek solace in suicide.

Five Stars for the Book and Ten for the Narration. *****

Fun book

The view point is enjoyable and it's a fun book as a person trys to justify he is a good person.

Thought provoking masterpiece

An amazing work that masterfully combines philosophy and literature. I enjoyed it so much that I listened to it twice back to back.

Great essay on moral superiority

This is a one-sided conversation in Amsterdam between two practicers of law. It's a short, wonderful summary of the vanity of moral superiority and all shapes it can take.

his self awareness and the willingness to explain it with enthusiasm.

I really don't dislike anything and I like how it moves along... as a note I listened to it at 1.2 speed because it is closer to the speed most people speak... imitating that he is actually putting me in as the other silent conversationalist.

Thought provoking

Good book to get yo know the classic author. beautiful prose. I think it would have been easier to follow the story reading rather than listening as there are underlying philosophical truths. However it is read well and it is a monologue of someone telling another his story.

what is morality?

This superbly written novel is a sophisticated introspection, setting a mirror in front of the reader. It is not monsieur Clamence who is hiding moral degeneracy under the facade of the good and proper, it is us.

I didn’t want it to end

Camus and Ballerini paint a beautiful picture here. This is such a well crafted story.

Good story, difficulty following

As the title said, I enjoyed the story tremendously, but there were many points for myself where words began to run together or the nature of the writing wasn’t as clear. This made it hard for me to understand the concepts and ideas, however I found a great analysis of the story after the fact that helped with this understanding.