On Vox: An Amazing Read
I just finished The First Man by Camus, which was one of the most poignant, beautiful books I've ever read. I haven't felt the need to openly cry over a book in ages. LT: 0 Camus: 1
The First Man
Albert Camus
After he died in a car accident, his family found the manuscript, along with notes and sections completely crossed out. His wife did not want it published and until her death, his children agreed. After they read it and thought about it more, they decided to go ahead and publish it to give his readers more insight into his life. When I started reading it, I felt a sort of disloyalty because as many of you know, I have struggled with letting certain things from people I have known who have died being brought out for public consumption. What I have learned from being allowed to read such a beautiful book, is that in the end, all that matters is that the original material should not be edited or retouched. It should be left as is--which is exactly what this book was to really honor that person and their wishes.
There are footnotes throughout the entire book, noting things like "illegible word" or "sentence ends here." The last section of the book are his notes--which mostly contain random facts and beautiful ramblings for thoughts on how some sections should be rewritten. It ends with two letters--which were so beautiful and humbling--I feel lucky that I was able to read them and peek inside this iconic writer's inner life.
The First Man is a semi-autobiography about Camus childhood in Algiers and the struggle he felt while growing up in poverty and the hope and passion he had for life because of it. It is an amazing book and I highly recommend it.
Case in point:
"...today he felt life, youth people slipping away from him, without being able to hold on to any of them, left with the blind hope that this obscure force that for so many years had raised him above the daily routine, nourished him unstintingly, and had been equal to the most difficult circumstances--that, as it had with endless generosity given him reason to live, it would also give him reason to grow old and die without rebellion."
Go read this book now!
Originally posted on lauriert.vox.com