--- product_id: 109157262 title: "The Myth of Sisyphus (Vintage International)" price: "¥3265" currency: JPY in_stock: true reviews_count: 13 url: https://www.desertcart.jp/products/109157262-the-myth-of-sisyphus-vintage-international store_origin: JP region: Japan --- # Existential Insight Classic Literature Timeless Philosophy The Myth of Sisyphus (Vintage International) **Price:** ¥3265 **Availability:** ✅ In Stock ## Summary > 📚 Embrace the Absurd: Discover the Meaning in Meaninglessness! ## Quick Answers - **What is this?** The Myth of Sisyphus (Vintage International) - **How much does it cost?** ¥3265 with free shipping - **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship - **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.jp](https://www.desertcart.jp/products/109157262-the-myth-of-sisyphus-vintage-international) ## Best For - Customers looking for quality international products ## Why This Product - Free international shipping included - Worldwide delivery with tracking - 15-day hassle-free returns ## Key Features - • **Vintage Aesthetic:** A beautifully designed edition that enhances any bookshelf. - • **Unravel Existentialism:** Dive deep into the human condition with Camus' profound insights. - • **Join the Literary Elite:** Be part of a community that values philosophical exploration. - • **Thought-Provoking Themes:** Engage in discussions that resonate with today's challenges. - • **Perfect Gift for Thinkers:** An ideal present for the intellectuals in your life. ## Overview The Myth of Sisyphus by Albert Camus is a cornerstone of existential philosophy, exploring the absurdity of life and the human struggle for meaning. This Vintage International edition combines a classic narrative with a visually appealing design, making it a must-have for both avid readers and casual thinkers alike. ## Description A Nobel Prize-winning author delivers one of the most influential works of the twentieth century, showing a way out of despair and reaffirming the value of existence. Influenced by works such as Don Juan and the novels of Kafka, these essays begin with a meditation on suicide—the question of living or not living in a universe devoid of order or meaning. With lyric eloquence, Albert Camus brilliantly presents a crucial exposition of existentialist thought. Review: Sisyphus Happy - Albert Camus is a profound author and The Myth of Sisyphus is quite a read. It's not light reading, but I would recommend it to most folks. Review: Existential nightmare - In this book, Camus explores absurdism and how we can approach the concept while avoiding both losing your mind or capitulating to some easy out to write it off. If you're in need of a good existential nightmare, check this one out. ## Technical Specifications | Specification | Value | |---------------|-------| | Best Sellers Rank | #1,617 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) #1 in Existentialist Philosophy #4 in Essays (Books) #10 in Philosophy of Ethics & Morality | | Customer Reviews | 4.7 out of 5 stars 3,901 Reviews | ## Images ![The Myth of Sisyphus (Vintage International) - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61HFcmUNHuL.jpg) ## Available Options This product comes in different **Media Format** options. ## Customer Reviews ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Sisyphus Happy *by L***E on September 13, 2026* Albert Camus is a profound author and The Myth of Sisyphus is quite a read. It's not light reading, but I would recommend it to most folks. ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Existential nightmare *by S***S on July 14, 2026* In this book, Camus explores absurdism and how we can approach the concept while avoiding both losing your mind or capitulating to some easy out to write it off. If you're in need of a good existential nightmare, check this one out. ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ An imprtant book that teaches us good lessons *by I***N on July 15, 2026* Albert Camus (November 7, 1913 – January 4, 1960) was a French-Algerian novelist, essayist, journalist, playwright, and one of the twentieth century's most influential writers. Although he is often associated with existentialism, Camus rejected the label, preferring to describe his work as an exploration of the human condition in a universe that offers no clear answers. Camus was born in Mondovi. His father died during World War I when Camus was only one year old, and he was raised in poverty by his mother. Despite financial hardship, talented teachers encouraged his education, enabling him to attend the University of Algiers, where he studied philosophy. Tuberculosis interrupted his studies and prevented him from pursuing a career in teaching. Instead, he became a journalist and writer. During World War II, Camus joined the French Resistance and served as editor of the underground newspaper Combat. His major works include: The Stranger (1942), The Myth of Sisyphus (1942), The Plague (1947), The Rebel (1951), The Fall (1956), and Exile and the Kingdom (1957). Camus died in an automobile accident near Sens at the age of only forty-six. Many critics believe that had he lived longer, he would have produced many more literary masterpieces. He received the Nobel Prize in Literature on October 17, 1957, at the age of forty-four, making him one of the youngest recipients in the prize's history. The Swedish Academy did not single out The Myth of Sisyphus in its Nobel citation. They gave him the prize for his book The Stranger, and its citation honored Camus "For his important literary production, which with clear-sighted earnestness illuminates the problems of the human conscience in our times." However, in its background discussion of his work, the Academy recognized The Myth of Sisyphus as one of the foundational philosophical essays that introduced Camus' concept of the absurd and helped establish his international reputation. It viewed the essay as an important part of the body of work that earned him the Nobel Prize rather than as the specific reason for the award. I found the 1955 English translation of this book by Justin O’Brien difficult to understand. I think it is a very poor translation. An example is the usage of the word “absurd” when I feel certain that Camus meant “meaningless.” Camus based The Myth of Sisyphus on the ancient Greek myth of Sisyphus. According to Greek mythology, Sisyphus was a clever but deceitful king. He repeatedly defied the gods and even cheated death. As punishment, the gods condemned him for eternity to push a gigantic boulder up a mountain. Whenever the stone neared the summit, it rolled back down. He had to begin again forever. Camus transformed this myth into a metaphor for human life. We often work, struggle, and repeat routines that can appear meaningless. Yet Camus argues that people can still find dignity, freedom, and even happiness by consciously embracing life's challenges rather than surrendering to despair. The Myth of Sisyphus is one of the most influential philosophical essays of the twentieth century. Rather than presenting abstract academic philosophy, Camus asks a deeply personal question: If life has no predetermined meaning, why continue living? Camus begins his book by calling suicide "the only truly serious philosophical problem." He examines whether the apparent lack of ultimate meaning should lead to despair. His answer is no. Instead, he argues that people should acknowledge the "absurd"—the tension between humanity's search for meaning and the universe's silence—without escaping into false certainty or hopelessness. Rather than inventing comforting illusions, Camus encourages readers to confront reality honestly. As I mentioned earlier, I understand that the translator’s use of the term “absurd” is a poor translation. Camus means that we do not, and will never, know the real meaning and purpose of life. The book explores literature, philosophy, theater, and Greek mythology, weaving together ideas from thinkers such as Søren Kierkegaard and Fyodor Dostoevsky before presenting Camus' own vision. The concluding image of Sisyphus joyfully returning to retrieve his fallen stone may surprise many readers, but it has become one of modern literature's most enduring symbols of resilience. Camus wrote The Myth of Sisyphus and The Stranger at the same time to explore the same idea—the absurd, which I translate as lack of meaning—through two different literary lenses. The Stranger presents the fictional story of a meaningless life, while The Myth of Sisyphus offers the philosophical examination of it. The two are connected because Meursault, the protagonist of The Stranger, is the living embodiment of Sisyphus. Sisyphus pushes a boulder up a hill for eternity, knowing it will just roll back down. Meursault navigates a meaningless life, eventually accepting his execution without pretending his life had a grander purpose. Both works reject societal illusions. In The Myth of Sisyphus, Camus argues that constructing false meanings (like religion or societal expectations) is "philosophical suicide." In The Stranger, Meursault gets condemned to death not just for killing a man, but because he refuses to lie about his feelings or play along with society's moral rituals. Both texts pivot around a sudden moment of intense clarity. In The Myth of Sisyphus, Camus describes the moment when the "stage sets collapse," and a person realizes that life is mechanical and meaningless. In The Stranger, Meursault experiences this exact awakening in his jail cell during his furious outburst at the chaplain, as he realizes the world is indifferent. Sisyphus finds joy in the physical act of pushing the rock, choosing to live despite his punishment. Similarly, Meursault focuses strictly on immediate, physical realities—the heat of the sun, the taste of a meal, the sea—rather than dwelling on the past or worrying about an afterlife. Readers will find The Myth of Sisyphus valuable because it encourages them to investigate enduring questions about purpose, freedom, and resilience rather than accepting easy answers. Among its lasting benefits are: Facing difficult questions honestly. Camus encourages readers not to avoid uncertainty but to examine it. The image of Sisyphus teaches that perseverance itself can become a source of strength, even in difficult circumstances. Camus argues that meaning is created through one's actions and experiences rather than waiting for an external purpose to be revealed. Readers are challenged to recognize that even when circumstances are beyond their control, they retain the freedom to choose their response—developing intellectual independence. The book invites readers to question assumptions, examine beliefs critically, and think for themselves. Camus suggests that everyday work, relationships, and commitments can acquire significance through the attitude we bring to them. And rather than seeking easy solutions, the book portrays courage as living thoughtfully and fully despite life's uncertainties. More than eighty years after its publication, The Myth of Sisyphus remains a classic because it speaks to questions that every generation encounters: How should we live? How do we respond to suffering? Can life be meaningful even without our understanding it? Camus answers this by arguing that, by confronting these questions with honesty and perseverance, individuals can discover a profound sense of freedom, purpose, and joy in the very act of living. ## Frequently Bought Together - The Myth of Sisyphus (Vintage International) - The Stranger - Crime and Punishment (Vintage Classics) --- ## Why Shop on Desertcart? - 🛒 **Trusted by 1.3+ Million Shoppers** — Serving international shoppers since 2016 - 🌍 **Shop Globally** — Access 737+ million products across 21 categories - 💰 **No Hidden Fees** — All customs, duties, and taxes included in the price - 🔄 **15-Day Free Returns** — Hassle-free returns (30 days for PRO members) - 🔒 **Secure Payments** — Trusted payment options with buyer protection - ⭐ **TrustPilot Rated 4.5/5** — Based on 8,000+ happy customer reviews **Shop now:** [https://www.desertcart.jp/products/109157262-the-myth-of-sisyphus-vintage-international](https://www.desertcart.jp/products/109157262-the-myth-of-sisyphus-vintage-international) --- *Product available on Desertcart Japan* *Store origin: JP* *Last updated: 2026-10-17*