The summation of the existentialist philosophy threaded throughout all his writing, Albert Camus' The Myth of Sisyphus is translated by Justin O'Brien with an introduction by James Wood in Penguin Classics. In this profound and moving philosophical statement, Camus poses the fundamental question: is life worth living? If human existence holds no significance, what can keep us from suicide? As Camus argues, if there is no God to give meaning to our lives, humans must take on that purpose themselves. This is our 'absurd' task, like Sisyphus forever rolling his rock up a hill, as the inevitability of death constantly overshadows us. Written during the bleakest days of the Second World War, The Myth of Sisyphus (Le Mythe de Sisyphe) argues for an acceptance of reality that encompasses revolt, passion and, above all, liberty. This volume contains several other essays, including lyrical evocations of the sunlit cities of Algiers and Oran, the settings of his great novels The Outsider and The Plague. Albert Camus (1913-60) is the author of a number of best-selling and highly influential works, all of which are published by Penguin. They include The Fall, The Outsider and The First Man. Awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1957, Camus is remembered as one of the few writers to have shaped the intellectual climate of post-war France, but beyond that, his fame has been international. If you enjoyed The Myth of Sisyphus, you might like Camus' The Outsider, also available in Penguin Modern Classics. 'Camus could never cease to be one of the principal forces in our domain, nor to represent, in his own way, the history of France and of this century' Jean-Paul Sartre
Albert Camus
Albert Camus was a French-Algerian writer, philosopher, and journalist known for his contributions to existentialism and absurdism. His most notable works include "The Stranger," "The Plague," and "The Myth of Sisyphus." Camus' writing style is characterized by its clarity, simplicity, and exploration of the human condition in the face of a meaningless universe. He won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1957 for his powerful and thought-provoking works. Camus' impact on literature can be seen in his ability to capture the essence of existential themes and challenge societal norms. "The Stranger" remains his most famous work, exploring themes of alienation, absurdity, and the search for meaning in a world devoid of inherent purpose.
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