Despite being a man who is indifferent to everything that surrounds him, I found Mersault to be very alive. Even in his mundanity, his views are very out of the ordinary- detached, even. He is unapologetically himself, and does not try to conform to what society wants from him, nor does he find any appeal in the idea. 

While it is easy to take away from this book that life is meaningless and that nothing you do holds any importance, I do not believe this is what Camus is promoting. Over and over again i would ask myself, "what is the point?" and I think that is, ultimately, the point. To ask these questions is part of life. Our stories and experiences are not something to be handed to us, but something we must make for ourselves. Even the smallest of moments are important, the good and the bad alike. Despite there being this sense of looming dread throughout the book, that one day everything will end and nothing matters after all, there were glimpses in between that make you realise that every action is important- everyone has an impact in the world somehow. 

I also think it is important to note that this translation was beautiful. Smith said in her note at the beginning that she had used Camus' recording of himself reading it as inspiration for how to translate Mersault's character into English, and I think she has done a fantastic job in doing so. 

Overall I found this book to be very beautiful, even despite its dull nature, and oddly reflective for myself. For lack of a better description, I think this story is like marmite. Either you will love it or hate it, and either way, you will take something away from what you have read.