States of Plague: Reading Albert Camus in a Pandemic

States of Plague analyzes Albert Camuss novel The Plague as a palimpsest of pandemic life, revealing the psychology and politics of a public health crisis. The book explores how the novel has resonated with readers in their current moment, examining the books tangled history and its original allegory. It also describes how the novel can imagine the world during a crisis and draw back the veil on other possible futures.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 152 pages
Publication date: 06 May 2024
Publisher: The University of Chicago Press

The novel "The Plague" by Albert Camus is a powerful exploration of the psychology and politics of a public health crisis, making it an incredibly relevant account of the COVID-19 pandemic. As one of the most discussed books of the crisis, "The Plague" has become a new literary touchstone for readers seeking solace and understanding in the face of terror and uncertainty.

In thirteen linked chapters, Alice Kaplan and Laura Marris delve into the past and present of "The Plague" in conversation, uncovering how the novel has resonated with people in their current moment. Kaplan's chapters explore the book's intricate history, while Marris is drawn to the ecological landscape and language. Through these pages, the authors' perception of Camus evolves alongside the pressures of illness, recovery, concern, and care in their own lives.

Kaplan and Marris also examine how the novel's original allegory might resonate with a new generation of readers who have experienced a global pandemic. They describe how they learned to contemplate the skies of a plague spring, to examine the body politic and the politics of immunity.

"States of Plague" is a personal and eloquently written exploration of the mysterious way a novel can imagine the world during a crisis and offer glimpses into other possible futures. It is a testament to the enduring power of literature to connect, inspire, and provide solace in times of great adversity.

Weight: 208g
Dimension: 140 x 217 x 12 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780226833309