The Outsider (First Edition)

Extremely rare to find with dust jacket in good condition. Has been excellently preserved.

First edition in English. London: Hamish Hamilton, (1946). Small 8vo. Original linen cloth hardcover in original unclipped dust jacket.  Pages: ii, 104. 

Near fine. Dust jacket unclipped, some foxing to faces and slight weathering along edges and towards extremities. Some previous repair work has been done to inner edge. Hardcover bindings in fine condition, slight age-toning on spine and single brown mark to rear cover. Binding square and tight. Contents in fine condition, some minor foxing along top and bottom edges.

English translation by Stuart Gilbert with an introduction by Cyril Connolly. Dust jacket art designed by Edward Bowden.

Originally published "L'Etranger" (The Stranger) in 1942, this is Camus' first published novella. This version, published in the UK by Hamish Hamilton, is the first edition published in the English language in 1946. The title was changed to "The Outsider" in this edition to avoid confusion with another translation of Maria Kuncewiczowa's novel already published with the same name. In the US editions the original title was maintained.

The Outsider (Stranger) is Camus' first published work and explores themes such as the absurdity that can dictate our existence and questions the human condition. Through the inner thoughts of the protagonist, Mersault, the book is used by Camus as a device to illustrate that life is absurd, the universe has no inherent higher meaning, and that the reader must confront the reality that we, perhaps, have no higher purpose.

Camus was awarded the Nobel prize for literature in 1957 for his work as a writer. Camus' work is renowned for its literary importance, as well as its importance to the development of the existentialist philosophical tradition.

This book is currently on display in the rare books section in our Bondi store.

If you would like more information or to arrange a viewing, please contact: rarebooks@harryhartog.com.au