No ‘Stranger’ to Camus’ Tale

For almost half a century, Stuart Gilbert’s translation of Albert Camus’ “The Stranger” has enthralled its readers.

When I heard of a translation by an American, Matthew Ward (Knopf, hardcover, 1988; Vintage, paperback, 1989), I rushed to my favorite bookstore and immediately consumed it. It was worth the rush, the price and the perusal.

No one who reads “The Stranger” can forget its first sentence: “Mother died today” (Gilbert). Ward imbued a seemingly simple sentence with a depth of emotion I felt for the first time. He wrote, “Maman died today.”

Ward appropriated Camus’ admittedly American writing style, with his short, precise sentences, giving the text an American quality. According to Ward, he worked from the original in order “to capture what the author said and how he said it, not what he meant.”

The novel concerns the absurdity of life and is narrated by its hero, Meursault, whose indifferent attitude reflects a universe that he finds indifferent.

It took courage to offer a new translation of a highly regarded book. With all due respect to Gilbert, I recommend Ward’s to anyone who, like me, is a devotee of Camus.

ETHEL SCHATZ

Los Angeles

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Did you know that Edgar Allan Poe served as a sergeant major in the United States Army? Or that the slave owners put out rewards totaling $60,000 for the capture of Harriet Tubman?

These facts, as well as brief biographical profiles of 68 other significant Americans, are to be found in “Historic Resumes of Famous Americans,” by Timothy B. Doe (General Publishing Group). An interesting, informative and innovative concept, this book (lavishly illustrated with photographs, some of which have never been published) gives the reader an opportunity to explore the careers of a broad cross-section of some of the most memorable people from our history. The introduction deserves a special note.

The author tells a lively and amusing story about finding these resumes in an old office building in New York and, although it is certainly fiction, he reports it as if it actually happened. Suitable for young readers as well as the seasoned history buff, it should prove to be a welcome addition to any home library or reference shelf.

FREEMAN DOLAN

Pasadena

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The book I have recently finished reading is a new edition of a 1980 fiction tale by Gary Jennings called “Aztec,” the story of one Native American man who lived in Mexico during the Cortez invasion.

There are descriptions of the diverse peoples who lived in not only what is now Mexico, but Central and some of South America; of their celebrations, raw and cruel as they appear to our culture; of their elaborate, far-reaching trade systems; of the ritual and spectacle of their celebrations and how religion was so much a part of their daily lives; and of their exquisite sophistication and delicacy--although, due to the fact that history is written by the victors, these are not words we usually equate with these peoples and that time. All of these aspects of the book were absolutely enthralling, almost overshadowing the individual’s life story and the twists and turns it took.

CARMELA de ROSE

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Elaine McCarthy’s slim, keenly crafted first novel, “The Falconer” (Random House), is a touching tribute to life--the passion of life withheld and the same passion realized.

Set in the rural foothills of the Sierra Nevada, the story is one of a wild, untamed love that India Davern, who is unsatisfied with her cheating husband and her wasted life, finally discovers--only now it is too late.

The premise of “The Falconer” may seem a bit trite--a dying woman makes a things-to-do list before a debilitating disease ravages her--yet McCarthy skillfully takes this story to another, more profound and poetic level. Lying on her deathbed, India poignantly recalls the events that transpired after she added passion to her list of unrealized adventures and, unwittingly, found the rugged, brooding Falconer--Rhodri MacNeal.

The reader shares in her joy as her heart finally takes flight--along with the falcons Rhodri trains--and one cautiously anticipates what is to become of this magically transformed India and her beloved Rhodri. McCarthy piercingly speaks to those of us who, having settled for the dullness of life, yearn for something else--something like passion.

AMENA T. AKMAL

West Los Angeles

* What’s that book in your beach bag (or carry-on, or on your night table)? Is it any good? Send us a review! We’re especially interested in hearing about fiction that you don’t find reviewed in The Times, but feel free to send us your opinion of whatever it is you are reading. Keep the review short (200 words, tops) and send it (with your phone number, please) to Readers Reviews, Life & Style, Los Angeles Times, Times Mirror Square, Los Angeles, CA 90053, or fax it to (213) 237-0732. We’ll print the most interesting ones every month. Sorry, but no submissions can be returned.

Next week: Cathy Curtis on art and photography books.