The Plague by Albert Camus

The Plague by Albert Camus
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is fantastic and-- despite the opinion of my friends who are horrified that I'm reading this right now-- this is the perfect time to read this. Covid doesn't allow you the ordinary-day emotional distance from the plague victims.

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The Respectful Prostitute by Jean-Paul Sartre

The Respectful Prostitute by Jean-Paul Sartre
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Such an upsetting and accurate depiction of America.

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No Exit by Jean-Paul Sartre

No Exit by Jean-Paul Sartre
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Very dark and funny. Full of great lines exploring the simple tortures of everyday life.

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The Stranger by Albert Camus

The Stranger by Albert Camus
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I didn't really get from this what I read I'm supposed to get from it. I liked the story mostly because I find the protagonist captivating like he's stuck in a dream, and because the author narrates an interesting perspective. But there's an underlying issue with the protagonist that seems not directly related to existentialism. Is he depressed because his mother died? Is he fundamentally a sociopath that until now has been functional and productive? I could imagine a main character who professes to be Christian acting in much the same way. Whether or not it matters in the long run, many humans would still personally suffer from harming another thanks to empathy and sympathy. And when he's confronted by death, the main character seems to reject whatever previous apathy he suffered from which seems to somewhat run contrary to existentialism, even though he doesn't reject his atheism.

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Flowers of Evil by Charles Baudelaire

Flowers of Evil: A Selection by Charles Baudelaire
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I like how Baudelaire's dark pessimism exists in perfect harmony with his romantic heart. I find that to be very realistic and moving.

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Swann's Way by Marcel Proust

Swann's Way by Marcel Proust
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

It took me over 3 months, but I finally finished. I love this book; I hate this book. Proust's writing is sublime but he seems to detest the very concept of plot. I was happiest when reading about Swann's obsession with Odette and I was miserable all the rest of the time. Sadly the portion about Odette was only about a third of the novel and didn't start until about halfway through.

I can finally use this picture in a review.

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Camille: A Play in Five Acts by Alexandre Dumas fils

Camille: A Play in Five Acts by Alexandre Dumas fils
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Lots of wonderful lines but the premise feels a little forced. The beginning starts off like a comedy. My favorite line at the beginning is, "My dear friend if I were to listen to all the people who are in love with me, I'd have no time for dinner!"

But then the play devolves into tragedy tragedy tragedy. Even so, it never fully gains a sense of realism.

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The Imaginary Illness by Molière

Le Malade Imaginaire by Molière
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

A light-hearted comedy about hypochondria but the author’s disrespect for and distrust of doctors is really outdated.

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Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert

Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

It's a masterpiece, but I just didn't like it. It reminded me a lot of Anna Karenina, except that I liked Anna Karenina.

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Breathe by Anne-Sophie Brasme

Breathe by Anne-Sophie Brasme
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Interesting short French novel about Charlene's obsession with an American French girl that is awful to her. There's no surprise in the book, but only a meditation on the obsession. The writing is good and very interesting. It's true though that something is missing- after all Charlene appears to have a mental illness that pre-dates Sarah.

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