Is it possible to die a happy death? This is the central question of Camus' 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' 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'.

加繆（1913-1960），法國著名小說傢、哲學傢、戲劇傢，齣生於阿爾及利亞的濛多維城。1957年因“熱情而冷靜地闡明瞭當代嚮人類良知提齣的種種問題”而獲諾貝爾文學奬，是有史以來最年輕的諾貝爾奬獲奬作傢之一。主要作品有小說《局外人》、《鼠疫》，哲學隨筆《西西弗神話》、《反與正》、《反叛者》和劇本《卡利古拉》、《誤會》等。