Nausea by Jean-Paul Sartre is a philosophical novel that delves into the existential crisis of the protagonist, Antoine Roquentin. The book is written in a diary-like format, detailing Roquentin's thoughts and experiences as he grapples with the meaninglessness of life and his own existence. The narrative explores themes of existentialism, self-reflection, and the struggle to find purpose in a world devoid of inherent meaning. Sartre's writing style is introspective and contemplative, presenting a deep dive into the inner workings of the protagonist's mind.
Genres:
Tropes/Plot Devices:
Topics:
Notes:
Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
Content warnings for Nausea include existential dread, themes of depression, alienation, and body dysmorphia, which may be triggering for some readers.
From The Publisher:
Nausea is both the story of the troubled life of an introspective historian, Antoine Roquentin, and an exposition of one of the most influential and significant philosophical attitudes of modern times - existentialism. The book chronicles his struggle with the realisation that he is an entirely free agent in a world devoid of meaning; a world in which he must find his own purpose and then take total responsibility for his choices. A seminal work of contemporary literary philosophy, Nausea evokes and examines the dizzying angst that can come from simply trying to live.
Jean-Paul Sartre (1905-1980) was an iconoclastic French philosopher, novelist, playwright and, widely regarded as the central figure in post-war European culture and political thinking. Sartre famously refused the Nobel Prize for literature in 1964 on the grounds that 'a writer should not allow himself to be turned into an institution'. His most well-known works, all of which are published by Penguin, include The Age of Reason, Nausea and Iron in the Soul.
If you enjoyed Nausea, you might like Albert Camus' The Outsider, also available in Penguin Modern Classics.
'One of the very few successful members of the genre "Philosophical Novel" ... a young man's tour de force'
Iris Murdoch
Ratings (17)
Incredible (1) | |
Loved It (10) | |
Liked It (3) | |
It Was OK (1) | |
Hated It (2) |
Reader Stats (82):
Read It (16) | |
Currently Reading (1) | |
Want To Read (58) | |
Did Not Finish (2) | |
Not Interested (5) |
1 comment(s)
Though at times boring and difficult to read, I’m pleased that I feel like I understand
Nausea. Thankfully, I have read several existentialist works previous to reading
Nausea, including
At the Existentialist Cafe which talks at length about
Nausea.
Echoing Heidegger’s disorienting prose style (note: we don’t stan Heidegger here), Sartre writes in a way that makes the familiar unfamiliar. He fractures and imbues sentience into objects; for example, he might write something like, “The legs propelled the fleshy mass forward” instead of “He walked.” In this manner Sartre invites the readers to see things as they really are in their absurdity instead of simply noting things’ physical attributes or recognizing things solely for their functions or what they symbolize.
Although recognizing that scientific laws govern the natural world, Sartre posits that the laws themselves are not innately logical but random. That is to say, there’s not an underlying reason why the laws are the way they are. Once one can acknowledge the absurdity of the world, one can realize that everything is a construct, freeing oneself from society’s expectations and rules.
Throughout the book, Roquentin meets characters that represent different philosophies. Thus, Roquentin is able to define existentialism in explaining what existentialism
is not while also exposing these philosophies’ flaws.
Overall,
Nausea is a provocative work. I like it more than I like
The Stranger, but it’s still not my favorite existentialist work.
What can you read after
Nausea?
About the Author:
Philosopher, novelist, playwright and polemicist, Jean-Paul Sartre is thought to have been the central figure in post-war European culture and political thinking. His most well-known works, all of which are published by Penguin, include THE AGE OF REASON, NAUSEA and IRON IN THE SOUL.
When you click the Amazon link and make a purchase, we may receive a small commision, at no cost to you.
