Vivir la lucidez : Todos los Carnets (1935-1959)

“When it comes to living consistently, a man always finds that conscience is the most difficult thing in the world to maintain. Circumstances almost always conspire against it. It is a matter of living lucidly in a world where distraction is the rule.” Published for the first time in a single volume, these Notebooks are the discontinuous diary that Albert Camus kept from 1935, when he was still completely unknown in Europe, until a few days before his death in 1960, at the height of his career. In this book, everyday observations are interwoven with reflections on the morality of his time, death, and the horrors of war; his feelings toward women, the sun, and the sea; thoughts on solitude and art; ideas for future works; quotations and comments derived from his reading; considerations on philosophy, literature, and travel; conversations overheard in cafés; and mere passing thoughts. Living Lucidly is, in a way, the spiritual and intellectual autobiography of one of the most exceptional minds of the 20th century. It provides moments of genuine emotion and offers a wonderful way to access the author's inner world and the genesis of his most emblematic works. It is a fascinating reflection not only of his working style and inner life, but also of the intellectual and political climate of a pivotal era in history.