Albert Camus the Algerian

Colonialism, Terrorism, Justice

David Carroll author

Format:Hardback

Publisher:Columbia University Press

Published:11th May '07

Currently unavailable, and unfortunately no date known when it will be back

Albert Camus the Algerian cover

This original reading of Albert Camus' novels, short stories, and political essays concentrates on Camus' conflicted relationship with his Algerian background and finds important critical insights into issues of justice, the effects of colonial oppression, and the deadly cycle of terrorism and counterterrorism that characterized the Algerian War and continues to surface in the devastation of postcolonial wars today. David Carroll emphasizes the Algerian dimensions of Camus' literary and philosophical texts and highlights his understanding of both the injustice of colonialism and the tragic nature of Algeria's struggle for independence. By refusing to accept that the sacrifice of innocent human lives can ever be justified, even in the pursuit of noble political goals, and by rejecting simple, ideological binaries (West vs. East, Christian vs. Muslim, "us" vs. "them," good vs. evil), Camus' work offers an alternative to the stark choices that characterized his troubled times and continue to define our own.

Presents a reading of Albert Camus' novels, short stories, and political essays. This work focuses on Camus' conflicted relationship with his Algerian background and finds important critical insights into questions of justice, the effects of colonial oppression, and the cycle of terrorism and counter terrorism that characterized the Algerian War.In these original readings of Albert Camus' novels, short stories, and political essays, David Carroll concentrates on Camus' conflicted relationship with his Algerian background and finds important critical insights into questions of justice, the effects of colonial oppression, and the deadly cycle of terrorism and counterterrorism that characterized the Algerian War and continues to surface in the devastation of postcolonial wars today. During France's "dirty war" in Algeria, Camus called for an end to the violence perpetrated against civilians by both France and the Algerian National Liberation Front (FLN) and supported the creation of a postcolonial, multicultural, and democratic Algeria. His position was rejected by most of his contemporaries on the Left and has, ironically, earned him the title of colonialist sympathizer as well as the scorn of important postcolonial critics. Carroll rescues Camus' work from such criticism by emphasizing the Algerian dimensions of his literary and philosophical texts and by highlighting in his novels and short stories his understanding of both the injustice of colonialism and the tragic nature of Algeria's struggle for independence. By refusing to accept that the sacrifice of innocent human lives can ever be justified, even in the pursuit of noble political goals, and by rejecting simple, ideological binaries (West vs. East, Christian vs. Muslim, "us" vs. "them," good vs. evil), Camus' work offers an alternative to the stark choices that characterized his troubled times and continue to define our own. "What they didn't like, was the Algerian, in him," Camus wrote of his fictional double in The First Man. Not only should "the Algerian" in Camus be "liked," Carroll argues, but the Algerian dimensions of his literary and political texts constitute a crucial part of their continuing interest. Carroll's reading also shows why Camus' critical perspective has much to contribute to contemporary debates stemming from the global "war on terror."

Carroll's outstanding study is both a scholarly and an engaging reading of this appealing French-Algerian thinker. Library Journal [A] timely study of Camus' writings. -- Lewis Jones Financial Times Weekend Magazine [Carroll's] re-reading of Camus is not only insightful and provocative, but also reminds us of the enduring relevance of Camus's voice. -- Susan Tarrow Modern & Contemporary France An exceptional book. -- Ralph Schoolcraft III South Central Review Carroll's study will surely become the definitive work on Camus for years to come. -- Janice Gross French Review

ISBN: 9780231140867

Dimensions: unknown

Weight: unknown

256 pages