A Happy Death

Is it possible to die a happy death? This is the central question of Camus''s astonishing early novel published posthumously and greeted as a major literary event. It tells the story of a young Algerian Mersault who defies society''s rules by committing a murder and escaping punishment then experimenting with different ways of life and finally dying a happy man. In many ways A Happy Death is a fascinating first sketch for The Outsider but it can also be seen as a candid self-portrait drawing on Camus''s memories of his youth travels and early relationships. It is infused with lyrical descriptions of the sun-drenched Algiers of his childhood - the place where eventually Mersault is able to find peace and die ''without anger without hatred without regret''.