The Guest by Albert Camus Summary

Camus was one of the leading French writers of the early 20th century. His reputation was earned not only by his skillful fiction-writing, but also by his powerful philosophical and political ideas. Indeed, he accrued quite a following in his time, especially among the youth. His existentialist philosophy of the absurd appealed to many with a philosophical bent, but his humanistic conception of social organization enjoyed a more general popularity.

"The Guest" opens with an Algerian schoolteacher, Daru, watching two men tread slowly up a snow-covered hill. He watches from his empty classroom, which is connected to his house. The men finally arrive. He recognizes one as Balducci, a Corsican gendarme, who is escorting an Arab prisoner to prison. Daru invites the two in and warms them up with some hot tea. Balducci informs Daru...