The Plague

by Albert Camus
The Plague cover
Good Books rating 4.33
Literary Fiction
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  • ID: 5370
  • Added: 2025-10-23
  • Updated: 2025-10-24
  • ISBN: 9780141395210
  • Publisher: Penguin UK
  • Published: 2013-10-31
  • Formats: 4
  • Reviews: 3

Set in the Algerian city of Oran, 'The Plague' by Albert Camus is a gripping tale of a community ravaged by a mysterious and deadly virus. As the town is quarantined, the inhabitants react in diverse ways—some succumb to despair, others seek scapegoats, while a few, like Dr. Rieux, fight against the disease with unwavering determination. /n/nPublished in 1947, this novel is not just a story of a plague but a profound allegory of France's suffering under Nazi occupation. It delves into themes of fear, isolation, and the human spirit's capacity for both cowardice and heroism, making it a timeless exploration of the human condition.

Reviews
The Philosopher's Magazine · 2025-10-23
empathic 4.50

Camus' The Plague shows the worth of 'the path of sympathy' in troubling times. The novel's message of love and connection is a powerful reminder of what makes life worth living.

The Philosopher's Magazine review emphasizes the novel's exploration of sympathy and connection in times of crisis. The review highlights the character Rieux's statement that 'a loveless world is a dead world,' underscoring the importance of human connection and empathy. The novel's message of love and connection is seen as a powerful reminder of what makes life worth living, even in the face of suffering and adversity. The reviewer appreciates the novel's ability to convey these themes in a way that resonates deeply with readers.

Quick quotes

    Camus' The Plague shows us the worth of 'the path of sympathy' in these troubling times.

    Rieux says, that 'a loveless world is a dead world'.

    The novel's message of love and connection is a powerful reminder of what makes life worth living.

Frappe and Fiction · 2022-08-07
profound 4.00

The plague and the suffering it causes is senseless, despite efforts to rationalize it spiritually. The novel's exploration of human resilience and the absurdity of suffering is profound.

Frappe and Fiction's review delves into the senseless suffering caused by the plague in Camus' novel. The review notes that despite attempts to rationalize the suffering through spiritual means, the plague remains a senseless and brutal force. The novel's exploration of human resilience in the face of such absurdity is highlighted as a profound aspect of the story. The reviewer appreciates the novel's ability to convey the depth of human experience and the struggle for meaning in a seemingly meaningless world.

Quick quotes

    The plague and the suffering it causes is senseless, despite the efforts of figures like Paneloux to rationalize it in some spiritual way.

    The novel's exploration of human resilience in the face of such absurdity is highlighted as a profound aspect of the story.

    The reviewer appreciates the novel's ability to convey the depth of human experience and the struggle for meaning in a seemingly meaningless world.

The Guardian · 2015-01-05
relevant 4.50

The novel remains urgently relevant as it explores different forms of pestilence. The fascist 'plague' that inspired the novel may have gone, but other varieties of pestilence keep this book timely.

The Guardian's review highlights the enduring relevance of 'The Plague' in today's world. The novel, inspired by the fascist plague, continues to resonate as it delves into various forms of pestilence. The review emphasizes that the book's exploration of human responses to crisis and suffering remains as pertinent now as it was at the time of its publication. The author's insightful commentary on the human condition and the societal impact of the plague makes it a compelling read for contemporary audiences.

Quick quotes

    The fascist 'plague' that inspired the novel may have gone, but 55 years after his death, many other varieties of pestilence keep this book urgently relevant.

    The novel's exploration of human responses to crisis and suffering remains as pertinent now as it was at the time of its publication.

    Camus's insightful commentary on the human condition and the societal impact of the plague makes it a compelling read for contemporary audiences.

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