The Plague by Albert Camus (Penguin Classics)

“The Fall” (French: “La Chute”) is a philosophical novel written by French-Algerian author and philosopher Albert Camus. The book was first published in 1956 and is known for its exploration of themes related to morality, guilt, and the human condition.

The story is narrated by the main character, Jean-Baptiste Clamence, a former Parisian lawyer who has relocated to Amsterdam. Clamence serves as a judge-penitent, a term he uses to describe himself as someone who listens to the confessions and moral dilemmas of others. Throughout the novel, Clamence reflects on his own life, past actions, and the moral compromises he has made.

“The Fall” is a philosophical and introspective work that explores the complexities of human nature, the concept of guilt, and the consequences of one’s actions. It delves into the idea of moral responsibility and the capacity for self-deception and hypocrisy. The novel is a critical examination of the human condition, with a particular focus on the existentialist and absurdist themes that are characteristic of Camus’s writing.

Albert Camus is known for his contributions to existentialism and his exploration of the absurdity of life, and “The Fall” is a thought-provoking example of his philosophical fiction. The novel is written in a first-person narrative style and offers readers a deep and reflective exploration of the human psyche and the moral dilemmas that individuals face.