The Good
I started this book before last semester thinking, because of its size, that i would be able to fit it in between the readings and workings of my other classes but that was not the case. What I first want to say about this book is what a fantastic read. Mr Camus gives his readers some meditative gems that they will digest for many of hours and days, if not months and years. What exactly is the absurd? That question is what keeps readers going and the reader may assume that the "absurd" is life and living itself but then Camus might render such and answer too simplistic in its logic and reasoning and the answer of an "absurd" man. I believe that many should read this book, more than once or twice. Those that do most likely will take very different things from this excellent philosophical journey.
The Bad
Like many other philosophers, Camus falls into the trap of building, establishing, and or laying the foundations of his work by tearing down, attempting to disprove, or flat out saying that works of his contemporaries or progenitors is flawed or wrong. He does this extensively with a few names but none more than Nietzsche. Having read this book. one would be valid in labeling Camus the, "Anti-Nietzsche." Also, like many other philosophers, his examinations of points counter to his are only included to prove his underlying point(s) or to show their own absurdity, in the traditional meaning of the word. After a while,Camus' tone begins to drape itself in the cloak of a highly insightful and knowledgeable but ultimately incredulous critic. For me, it begins to take away from his own original work, which i was highly impressed. I would have liked to read more of his own thoughts, theories, and ideas without them being rooted and derived from a place of showing how different from or counter to something else or someone else.
