A person’s summer reading isn’t usually news, but George W. Bush’s recent choice of Albert Camus’s The Stranger (L'Etranger) as a vacation read (we’re just going to assume a gun catalog wasn’t stashed inside) has caused a small media stir. The attention is perhaps due to the subject matter of the novel: the book tells the story of a young man who kills an Arab after a dispute and remains remorseless. Political and literary critics alike are offering ideas on why Bush chose to read (and be seen with) this particular book. Is he backing off on his anti-France attitude by embracing French literature? Does he identify with The Stranger’s Arab-murdering protagonist? Is he trying to win over intellectuals? Even White House Press Secretary Tony Snow has weighed in, reporting that they “discussed the origins of existentialism” in relation to the book. Whatever the reasoning, this event shows how literature continues provoke an emotional response from society.

Further reading:
Stranger and Stranger
Bush takes Camus to the beach
Turns out this isn’t his first brush with Camus:
Bush vs. Camus
The Daily Show isn’t the only fake news source that has had fun with it:
George Bush speaks on Albert Camus’ The Stranger