Nausea

Title: Nausea

Author: Jean-Paul Sartre

Genre: Philosophical Fiction

Pages: 178

Synopsis:

Nausea is the story of Antoine Roquentin, a French writer who is horrified at his own existence. In impressionistic, diary form he ruthlessly catalogues his every feeling and sensation. His thoughts culminate in a pervasive, overpowering feeling of nausea which “spreads at the bottom of the viscous puddle, at the bottom of our time — the time of purple suspenders and broken chair seats; it is made of wide, soft instants, spreading at the edge, like an oil stain.” Roquentin’s efforts to come to terms with life, his philosophical and psychological struggles, give Sartre the opportunity to dramatize the tenets of his Existentialist creed.

(from Goodreads)

My Thoughts:

Nausea is the story of Antoine Roquentin, a person who is terrified by his existence. Roquentin goes through an Existential Crisis, asking himself questions about his existence, his place in the world, and what it all means.

When we do get to the Existential Crisis in the novel was when things started getting really interesting. I really liked how they handle Antoine’s Existential Crisis and the Existential questions that were being asked in the novel. The Existential Crisis part of the book had me kept turning the pages wondering where they were going with this.

I am very into Existentialism and I am glad that I read this book. As it really dove into the human condition and the deep existential questions that come from Existentialism. Jean-Paul Sartre’s Philosophical Views is on full display here and is a great introduction to Existentialism. I really recommend this book if you are into Philosophy and Existentialism.

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