The Fall – A Confession of Guilt and Hypocrisy

Albert Camus’ The Fall is a dark, philosophical monologue that explores guilt, self-deception, and the fallibility of human morality. The novel follows Jean-Baptiste Clamance, a former successful Parisian lawyer, now living in self-imposed exile in Amsterdam.

Through a series of conversations in a dimly lit bar, Clamance confesses his past sins and hypocrisies—his vanity, selfishness, and moral corruption hidden beneath a façade of righteousness. He recounts his relationships, particularly with a young woman he seduced shattering moment that forced him to confront his own emptiness.and discarded, and the shattering moment that forced him to confront his own emptiness.

As the narrative unfolds, the reader is drawn into Clamance’s unsettling worldview, questioning whether anyone can ever be truly innocent or free from judgment.

This complete and unabridged edition, translated by Justin O’Brien, captures Camus’ existential brilliance, making The Fall an essential read for those who love philosophical fiction and deep psychological introspection.