The Stranger

A short and easy read, supposedly a classic. I found it depressing. The protagonist is shallow, self centered and uncaring with no respect for human life in any form whether it be his mother, his girlfriend, another man's girlfriend or a man on a beach. In the end he didn't learn anything....there is no closure. His life message appears to be that life is meaningless, although he does seem to wish he could avoid the guillotine.

Great book, read!!!! But... yes Camus was born in Algeria, but wasn't it a French colony? And he won the Nobel Prize as a French author? So where do we place this book?

Boring

Eugene Onegin by Alexander Pushkin, a poem written in the 1820s, tells the story of a young, wealthy man disenchanted with life. While the premise is intriguing—a critique of societal superficiality and the emptiness of privilege—I found it difficult to connect with the poem and its characters. Pushkin’s portrayal of emotions and his depiction of the world through verse felt distant, making it hard for me to immerse myself in the narrative. At times, I questioned whether I was missing something vital, prompting me to turn to analyses for clarity. Although they provided additional context, I still struggled to engage with the poem on a personal level. It is an interesting exploration of a man who believes his wealth and status can fulfill him, only to find himself isolated and unhappy. However, the themes and style did not resonate with me. I respect the literary significance of Eugene Onegin, but I don’t see myself revisiting it. Perhaps poetry, particularly in this style, is simply not for me. While I can appreciate the story’s message, my experience with it was not particularly enjoyable. I would rate it 3 out of 5.