What are the similarities and differences of Siddhartha by Herman Hesse and The Stranger by Albert Camus?

Both protagonists exhibit perfervid individualism--a
nonconformist, go-it-alone, alienated worldview.  Meursault and Siddhartha reject
mainstream religious doctrine and dogma in favor of lives devoted to simple pleasures.
 Both go through phases where they enjoy the company of women (Siddhartha eventually
abandons this).  Meursault loves the ocean, while Siddhartha finds peace in the river.
 In both, water is a symbol for life.  Both are bored by the ennui of work and see the
emptiness in materialism.

Siddhartha is much more actively
on a religious quest than Meursault.  Meursault is much more passive and static in his
daily life (he hates trips).  Obviously, the act of "murder" separates them: Meursault
is more unhappy with society than Siddhartha and, therefore, lashes out in violence.
 Meursault relishes his role of anti-christ in part II of the novel, while Siddhartha is
less of a rebel and outcast.  While Siddhartha finds a reconciliation in the spiritual
and physical while a ferryman, Meursault ultimately sees the world as a cruel, absurd
place.  Ultimately, The Stranger ends with a violent execution,
while Siddhartha ends with nirvana by the river (as polar opposite
as two novellas can be).