Nausea

by Jean-Paul Sartre
Nausea cover
Good Books rating 4.0
Literary Fiction
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Paperback • £10.99
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  • ID: 5376
  • Added: 2025-10-23
  • Updated: 2026-01-05
  • Published: 1949-01-01
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 4

Nausea delves into the mind of Antoine Roquentin, a French writer grappling with the horrifying realization of his own existence. Through impressionistic, diary-like entries, Roquentin catalogues his feelings and sensations, ultimately culminating in an overwhelming sense of nausea that permeates his understanding of the world. This visceral experience becomes a powerful metaphor for the absurdity and meaninglessness of life, as Roquentin struggles to reconcile his existence with the indifferent universe around him./n/nThe novel's stream-of-consciousness style and philosophical depth make it a seminal work in existentialist literature. Roquentin's introspective journey forces readers to confront their own perceptions of reality and the nature of human existence. The pervasive feeling of nausea serves as a constant reminder of the visceral and unsettling aspects of self-awareness, making Nausea a compelling and thought-provoking exploration of the human condition.

Reviews
Book, Coffee, Cat · 2025-03-15
impactful 4.25

The book is described as raw, unsettling, and thought-provoking, challenging readers to experience it rather than just read it. They find Sartre's writing to be deeply impactful and philosophically rich.

This review highlights the raw and unsettling nature of Sartre's writing, describing the book as a profound experience rather than a mere read. They appreciate the philosophical depth and the way it challenges readers to think deeply about the human condition. The review notes that the book is not just about the plot but about the existential questions it raises. They find the writing to be deeply impactful, making it a significant work in existential literature. The review also suggests that the book's unsettling nature is part of its appeal, as it forces readers to confront uncomfortable truths about life and existence.

Quick quotes

    It is not merely a book to read; it is a book to experience.

    Sartre's writing is raw, unsettling, and thought-provoking, challenging us to ...

    The book is unhurried, but it is not, overall, a book of droll, banal depression.

The New York Times · 2021-10-21
profound 4.00

The writing style is tense yet loose, and the novel is seen as a significant work that has influenced many other writers. It is a profound exploration of existential themes.

The reviewer notes that the writing style of 'Nausea' is tense yet loose, which has been popularized by many other writers. They appreciate the novel's profound exploration of existential themes, finding it to be a significant work that has influenced many other writers. The reviewer also notes that the novel is not without its flaws, but overall, it is a compelling read that challenges the reader to think deeply about the nature of existence.

Quick quotes

    It belongs to that tense-looking but really very loose type of writing, which has been popularized by many second-raters — Barbusse, Céline and others.

    It is a philosophical novel with existentialist vibes, that delves into the pure absurdity of the world with Sartre's wild imagination.

    The book is unhurried, but it is not, overall, a book of droll, banal depression.

Eternalised · 2021-04-21
absurd 4.00

The novel delves into the absurdity of the world with Sartre's unique imagination, making it a philosophical and existentialist read. It's a book that challenges the reader's perception of reality and existence.

This review emphasizes the philosophical depth and existentialist themes of 'Nausea'. The reviewer praises Sartre's wild imagination and the novel's ability to explore the absurdity of the world. They suggest that the book is a challenging but rewarding read for those interested in existential philosophy. The reviewer finds the novel thought-provoking and believes it offers a unique perspective on reality and existence. They appreciate the novel's ability to challenge the reader's perceptions and make them question their own understanding of the world.

Quick quotes

    It is a philosophical novel with existentialist vibes, that delves into the pure absurdity of the world with Sartre's wild imagination.

    It's a book that challenges the reader's perception of reality and existence.

    Sartre's writing is raw, unsettling, and thought-provoking, challenging us to question our own understanding of the world.

The Gemsbok · 2016-01-19
profound 3.75

The book is described as unhurried and not overly depressing, with a unique tone that sets it apart from more humorous works. They find it to be a profound exploration of angst and despair, though not in a droll or banal manner.

This review emphasizes the unhurried pace of the novel, noting that it is not a book of droll, banal depression. They compare it to more humorous works like Catch-22 and The Canterbury Tales, highlighting its unique tone. The book is seen as a profound exploration of angst and despair, but in a way that is not overly depressing. They appreciate the depth of the characters and the philosophical questions raised, making it a significant read for those interested in existential literature. The review also notes that the book's lack of humor is not a detriment but rather adds to its serious and introspective nature.

Quick quotes

    The book is unhurried, but it is not, overall, a book of droll, banal depression.

    Though not so humorous as Catch-22 or The Canterbury Tales, ...

    It is a deeply unsettling read, and one of Sartre's earliest and least-political works, as it was written before the Second World War, after...

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