"The Meursault Investigation" by Kamel Daoud is a novel that serves as a response and reinterpretation of Albert Camus' classic novel "The Stranger." The story is narrated by the brother of the unnamed Arab killed by Meursault, the protagonist of Camus' novel.
The novel is set in Algeria and explores the aftermath of Meursault's crime, as seen through the eyes of the Arab's brother, who seeks to understand and make sense of his brother's murder. The narrator reflects on the impact of the murder on his family and community, as well as the broader social and political context of Algeria during and after the French colonization.
Through his introspective and philosophical musings, the narrator delves into questions of identity, colonialism, and the nature of existence. He challenges the portrayal of his brother as an anonymous victim in Camus' novel, giving him a voice and agency as he seeks to reconcile with his brother's death and understand the meaning of life in the face of absurdity and injustice.
"The Meursault Investigation" is a thought-provoking and existential novel that grapples with themes of colonialism, identity, and the consequences of violence. It offers a fresh perspective on Camus' novel and raises important questions about the legacy of colonization and the impact of violence on individuals and communities.
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