The Plague is a novel about a French Algerian town coping with a plague epidemic. It is set in the 1940s in the city of Oran, which is put under quarantine due to the outbreak of the disease.

Major characters

Dr Bernard Rieux: a doctor who treats the first victims of the plague

Jean Tarrou: a recent resident to Oran

Raymond Rambert: a journalist visiting Oran

Joseph Grand: a clerk for the city government

Cottard: a neighbour of Grand who is under investigation for a crime

Father Paneloux: a Jesuit priest