So I have just read The Stranger for the Second time.
When I first read it I found it groundbreaking. It has been approximately three years since I read it.
I have just read it for the second time and found it revolting.
For example the novel is inherently colonial, yet this issue is never addressed, so as to give an air of superiority to the un-historically minded reader.
When I read it the first time the colonialism was not apparent to me and added to the absurdism. I have noticed often when you lack and understanding of geopolitical situations and you dont understand the concept of 'race' yourself , it can be used to give 'absurdism' to a text.
For example 'The Kite Runner' is a great example of this. Few people have the understanding of the geopoltical considerations of the area, so the various races and tensions between them can give absurdism and intrigue. When you learn about Pashtuns and Hazaras it is interesting, because in real life you never hear people talk so openly about races.
When you understand the historical geopolitics in the book it becomes a lot less interesting in my opinion. This is the same as the Kite Runner
The French empire did nothing wrong. Meursault did nothing wrong. He shouldnt have put his mom in a home.