Product Description

Jean-Baptiste Clamence, a successful Parisian barrister, has come to recognize the deep-seated hypocrisy of his existence. His epigrammatic and, above all, discomforting monologue gradually saps, then undermines, the reader's own complacency.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #405905 in Books
• Published on: 2000-04-27
• Original language: French
• Binding: Paperback
• 128 pages

Customer Reviews

Brilliant!
A masterful little monologue that will convince anyone of the genius of Camus. We spend all our lives building our perceptions of ourselves and those around us only to realise that these collective impressions are but a work of fiction that serves no other purpose than to make life a little more bearable. This tiny book has more to say about life than I thought was possible in so few words, it speaks of the fall from grace that occurs when one examines one's own life outside of the "safe" context that is provided by society and day to day life. This is among my favourite titles and I would recommend it to anyone who has ever felt like an objective observer of the mechanisms of social order.

100 pages of real life.
The Fall is - as far as I can see - the moment of perfection for Camus. I have studied philosophy and English literature but this book was hardly ever mentioned. For some reason most people (probably following the example set by the emperor's new clothes) chose to say that "The Outsider" or "The Plague" are superior to this. on the contrary, this is Camus' smartest funniest most vicious and, simultaneously, his most human novel - one that anticipates the most "controversial" writers of today.
if you dare to look at yourself in the mirror then look at this too. the reward is the truth, whatever that might be for you.

Essential Reading
I first read this novel when I was twenty, on the recommendation of a friend and I have been eternally grateful ever since. Since then not a year has gone by (and i'm now nearly 40) when I have not revisited it. The way it is written and it's short length mean that it has a certain individual power that I have rarely found elsewhere. To the point where each time I re-read it, it has a different impact on me. It is a book to keep on the bookshelf and re-visit again and again. The underlying concepts, like any great novel seem as applicable for any time.

I would recommend this novel to anyone, read it, keep it, re-read and lend it to friends. What is it about ? It is about you, and that is what makes it great.