R E K. (bigstone) - , reviewed on 8/13/2020 + 1452 more book reviews

Helpful Score: 2

Whether to rate this book four or five stars was difficult for me. As I read about the city of Oran and how its population dealt with this horrifying disease, I kept nodding my head. Yes, that's the way people react. That's how many people in our world today by and large react to the 2020 pandemic, COVID19. While not as many people die, the number is still far too large. We just don't know enough but what we do know can help slow the disease and save lives.

Camus' writing style is lyrical. He keeps the reader moving along the pages of this impressive novel. I did find myself pausing to reflect on how certain characters reacted to the experience and to each other. The heros just keep going, treating and helping the ill as best they can. So it is with COVID19. And, like this novel we lose some of them, sometimes the best and most caring.

Why didn't I read this novel sooner? Why did I choose to read it now? I can't really answer either question. I just knew it was time to pick up this classic and reflect on its messages. They story is so sad and the statistics horrible but it's a read for the times. Such novels can teach us graphic lessons if we but heed them. Well done. I need to search for more of this author's work.

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