Big Books of 2026
The Fall

Questions About The Fall

by Albert Camus

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Answered Questions (6)

Has anybody here understood what Camus wants to say ?!
Vigneswara Prabhu The POV character Jean Baptiste Clemence is a deplorable character who is always serving his own interest. He presents a persona to those around him, …moreThe POV character Jean Baptiste Clemence is a deplorable character who is always serving his own interest. He presents a persona to those around him, in order to gain an fetishistic pleasure in portraying himself as a paladin of justice, as well as above all those lesser souls.

I think the rule of thumb is, whatever the character says he likes and does, the opposite is meant. The way he describes his attitude towards the war, his friends and lovers is presented in a satirical tone. By the end of the book, you truly find yourself what he represents. (less)
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Book deatils says "first published January 1st 210" It shoud be 1956, not 210. Who can fix it? Thank you. Umit
W Although the book was first published in 1956, this edition of the book was published in 2000.
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How does Camus get away with plagiarizing well-known novels like this? The Fall is thought-for-thought copied from Dostoevsky's 'Notes from Underground' which was published a century before. It's not a re-telling of the story; it's just copy-and-pasted from Dostoevsky nearly word-for-word. Only those who have never read Dostoevsky could think Camus is profound. There is not a single original thought here.
Truls Bjordal In several of their books, Camus and Dostoevsky write about the same things, but I think they're way different in how they convey their stories, thoug…moreIn several of their books, Camus and Dostoevsky write about the same things, but I think they're way different in how they convey their stories, thoughts and ideas. What exactly is copy-pasted in The Fall? (less)
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I probably missed it somewhere during this verbal diarrhea, but what crime did he commit? I understood that he didn't save a woman from drowning, is that it or was there more? I admit i had trouble focussing.
Vigneswara Prabhu There is that, but it is implied our Mr. Clemence is an altogether deplorable self serving spineless flea, whose every action is the opposite of what …moreThere is that, but it is implied our Mr. Clemence is an altogether deplorable self serving spineless flea, whose every action is the opposite of what you expect from a decent human being. (less)
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At one point, the narrator utters the phrase "in the Austerlitz of our passion". Could someone elaborate on that please. I know about Napoleon's victory there in 1805, and it signalling the end for the Holy Roman Empire, but is that what is alluded to here, or something else ?
Zosia Mas I would also love to know
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Unanswered Questions (2)

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