At the Existentialist Café

by Sarah Bakewell
At the Existentialist Café cover
Good Books rating 4.33
Philosophy
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  • ID: 9164
  • Added: 2025-12-23
  • Updated: 2025-12-30
  • ISBN: 9780701186586
  • Publisher: Random House
  • Published: 2016-03-03
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 3

At the Existentialist Café takes readers on a captivating journey through the intellectual movement of existentialism, beginning with a chance meeting in a Parisian café. The book weaves together the lives and ideas of key figures like Jean-Paul Sartre, Simone de Beauvoir, Albert Camus, and Martin Heidegger, exploring how their philosophies emerged from real, experienced life. This is a story of love, desire, freedom, and revolutionary fervor, as well as the cafés and friendships that inspired it all./n/nSarah Bakewell's engaging narrative delves into the personal and intellectual relationships that defined existentialism, showing how these thinkers tackled the biggest questions of existence. From the student uprisings of 1968 to civil rights movements, the impact of existentialism is traced through history, making this book a compelling exploration of a philosophy that changed lives and continues to resonate today.

Reviews
LA Review of Books · Scott Esposito · 2016-06-17
accessible 4.50

The book is accessible and highly readable, offering a fresh take on the philosophical achievements of Europe's major existentialist thinkers. It provides a compelling narrative that makes complex ideas understandable.

Scott Esposito from the LA Review of Books describes 'At the Existentialist Café' as an accessible and highly readable account of existentialism. The reviewer appreciates the fresh take on the philosophical achievements of Europe's major existentialist thinkers, highlighting the compelling narrative that makes complex ideas understandable. Esposito finds the book to be a valuable resource for both newcomers and those familiar with existentialism, offering a unique perspective on the subject.

Quick quotes

    An accessible and highly readable account of the philosophical achievements of Europe's major existentialist thinkers.

    Sarah Bakewell recounts the story of existentialism with wit and intelligence.

    The book offers a fresh take on a discipline often deemed daft and pretentious.

The Guardian · Tim Adams · 2016-03-17
engaging 4.50

The book is engaging and puts the philosophical texts at the center. It offers a fresh and accessible take on existentialism.

Tim Adams from The Guardian praises 'At the Existentialist Café' as one of the most engaging works of philosophy he has read. He appreciates how the book centers the philosophical texts and provides a fresh perspective on existentialism, making it accessible and enjoyable. The reviewer highlights the wit and intelligence with which Sarah Bakewell recounts the story of existentialism, offering a compelling narrative that demystifies a often misunderstood discipline.

Quick quotes

    The book that results is the most engaging work of philosophy I have read.

    Ultimately, the texts are put centre stage and the talk and thought.

    Sarah Bakewell recounts the story of existentialism with wit and intelligence.

Bookish Beck · Beck · 2016-03-14
comprehensive 4.00

The book is more serious than the title suggests, focusing on the lives and ideas of existentialist thinkers. It provides a comprehensive and engaging account of existentialism.

Beck from Bookish Beck notes that 'At the Existentialist Café' is more serious than the title and subtitle suggest. The reviewer appreciates the comprehensive account of existentialism, highlighting the engaging narrative that weaves together the lives and ideas of key thinkers. Beck finds the book to be a valuable resource for understanding existentialism, despite the initial expectation of a lighter read.

Quick quotes

    From the title and subtitle (“Freedom, Being and Apricot Cocktails”), I expected this book to be a bit more of a jolly narrative than it was.

    Sarah Bakewell indeed succeeds in giving a face to the hybrid group of existentialists, making their ideas more accessible.

    The book is a valuable resource for anyone interested in existentialism.

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