Plot Summary

Albert Camus: A Biography

Herbert R. Lottman
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Albert Camus: A Biography

Nonfiction | Biography | Adult | Published in 1989

Book Brief

Herbert R. Lottman

Albert Camus: A Biography

Nonfiction | Biography | Adult | Published in 1989
Book Details
Pages

848

Format

Biography • Nonfiction

Setting

France • 20th Century

Publication Year

1989

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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Super Short Summary

Albert Camus: A Biography by Herbert R. Lottman details the life of Albert Camus, a Nobel Prize-winning writer, philosopher, journalist, and WWII hero, from his upbringing in a poor family in Algiers to his literary fame and untimely death. The biography covers his involvement in the Communist Party, his contributions to the French Resistance, his advocacy for peace and human rights, and his literary success, including his award of the Nobel Prize in 1957. Sensitive topics include war and terrorism.

Informative

Contemplative

Melancholic

Mysterious

Bittersweet

Reviews & Readership

4.1

172 ratings

74%

Loved it

21%

Mixed feelings

5%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

Herbert R. Lottman's biography of Albert Camus is praised for its thorough research and insightful portrayal of Camus' life and philosophical struggles. However, some critics find it overly detailed and occasionally dry. The book excels in contextualizing Camus within his historical and cultural milieu, making it a significant but sometimes dense read.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Albert Camus: A Biography?

A reader who would enjoy Albert Camus: A Biography by Herbert R. Lottman appreciates detailed, intellectual biographies and existential philosophy. It's ideal for fans of Kafka: The Decisive Years by Reiner Stach or Sartre: A Life by Annie Cohen-Solal, seeking insight into Camus's life and his philosophical contributions.

4.1

172 ratings

74%

Loved it

21%

Mixed feelings

5%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

848

Format

Biography • Nonfiction

Setting

France • 20th Century

Publication Year

1989

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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