As we mentioned last week, New York is currently holding a month-long festival celebrating Albert Camus’ historic visit to NYC 70 years ago. One event in the festival featured actor Viggo Mortensen giving a reading of Camus’ lecture,“La Crise de l’homme” (“The Human Crisis”) at Columbia University–the very same place where Camus delivered the lecture 70 years earlier–down to the very day (March 28, 1946). The reading was captured on a cell phone, and broadcast live using Facebook live video. It can be jittery, but if you close your eyes and give a listen, it will be worth your time. Note that Mortensen takes the stage around the 11:45 mark.
“The Human Crisis” will be added to our collection, 700 Free Audio Books: Download Great Books for Free. You can download major works by Camus as free audiobooks if you sign up for a 30-Day Free Trial with Audible.com. Find more information on that program here.
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Related Content:
Albert Camus: The Madness of Sincerity — 1997 Documentary Revisits the Philosopher’s Life & Work
Great choice for Camus reading. he was amazing in the Film Based on Camus book.
The delivery from the actor is dire – reminiscent of a poor poet reciting unfamiliar mediocre poetry they have churned out. A shame as Camus is superb at times.
Provide a link to the vid. not loading.
I don’t feel this way at all. His delivery is deep and brooding. I find it easier to listen to than if he had done more “acting” with it.
https://www.facebook.com/columbia/videos/10153648665938937/
Does anyone know where to find a transcript or a copy of Camus’ “The Human Crisis”?
Yeah I think I’m going to transcribe it from this video. I can’t find it anywhere but maybe I’m not looking hard enough.
To Todd,
I have never found a copy. But if Mortensen was able to read this, text must be available.
Sharon
The original French text is available if you searched it but I couldn’t find any English copy of it
Here is a copy of the French:
https://www.nazioneindiana.com/wp-content/2013/10/la-crise-de-lhomme-camus.pdf
I agree. The text is the star. Listening is the art.