Albert Camus

“Fiction is the lie through which we tell the truth.”

— Albert Camus

Life & Background:

Born in Algeria in 1913 to a poor French-Algerian family, Camus rose from humble beginnings to become a Nobel Prize-winning philosopher and novelist. Though often associated with existentialism, he distanced himself from the label, preferring to explore absurdism—the idea that humans seek meaning in a universe that offers none. He died in a car accident in 1960 at just 46.

Inspirations:

Camus drew from his North African upbringing, classical philosophy, and the horrors of war. He was shaped by the humanist tradition, Montaigne, Dostoevsky, and Greek tragedy.

Themes in His Work:

• The absurd and existential freedom: How should we live knowing life has no inherent meaning?

• Rebellion and justice: In the face of absurdity, we must resist cruelty and injustice.

• Alienation and detachment: His characters often feel estranged from the world, others, and themselves.

• Death and moral choice: Mortality forces confrontation with our values and choices.

Notable Works:

• The Stranger (1942)

• The Myth of Sisyphus (1942)

• The Plague (1947)

• The Fall (1956)