Now go out and find your own meaning in life or dont, because its all ultimately pointless anyway. But Meursault doesnt care what anyone thinks; he just goes through the motions because thats what is expected of him. Existentialist literature can be frustrating, confusing, and even depressing. Cline, Austin. He goes to trial and is sentenced to death, but even at the end he remains indifferent to his situation. See also what's at your library, or elsewhere.. On the other hand, you existentialists who claim that life is meaningless but we should find our own meaning in it. So if youre feeling lost or stuck in a rut, consider reading one (or all) of my favorites below. During the 20th century, Walter Kaufmann was a philosopher, poet, and a well-known translator of Friedrich Nietzsche's work. The principle founder of existentialism, a political thinker and famous novelist and dramatist, his work has exerted enormous influence in philosophy, literature, politics and cultural studies. In this collection of original essays, Crowell brings together a group of well-known commentators to talk about the ideas of Kierkegaard, Nietzsche, Heidegger, Sartre, Merleau-Ponty, and de Beauvoir. Jean Anouilhs Antigone also presents arguments founded on existentialist ideas. This book is less traditional philosophical work and more practical guide to existentialist thought. He is not taken away, however, but left at home to await instructions from the Committee of Affairs. This philosophy has been shown in the books Tuesday's with Morrie and the Narrative of the life of Frederick Douglass and the life story of Malala Yousafzai. For example, if you tend to find classic works of philosophy difficult to understand, you might want to start with a short, beginner-friendly introduction. People in the philosophical branch of metaphysics haven't paid much attention to this question. The Stranger is a brilliant examination of human nature and what it means to be alive. By exploring the nature of existence, these books can lead us to our own special place in this ever-changing world. Jean-Paul Sartre's epic 1943 book Being and Nothingness, which clocks in at over 800 pages, is a dense, vivid, and challenging depiction of human life. Bakewell tells a great story about the lives and ideas of some of the most important existentialists, including Sartre, de Beauvoir, Merleau-Ponty, Husserl, Heidegger, and Camus. The Sociology of Pierre Bourdieu Literary Theory and Criticism Notes, Romanticism in Germany Literary Theory and Criticism Notes, Literary Criticism and Theory in the Twentieth Century Literary Theory and Criticism Notes, Key Theories of Martin Heidegger Literary Theory and Criticism Notes, Analysis of Paul Bowless Novels Literary Theory and Criticism Notes, Analysis of T. C. Boyles Novels Literary Theory and Criticism Notes, Analysis of Albert Camus's Novels | Literary Theory and Criticism, Analysis of Stuart Halls Encoding/Decoding, Cleanth Brooks' Concept of Language of Paradox. 1 And the Russians always had a thing or two to tell the French about being worried about existence. Following these links will help you quickly find a broader range of options if the listed books do not fit what you are looking for. Important existentialists of varying and conflicting thought are Sren Kierkegaard, Karl Jaspers, Martin Heidegger, Gabriel Marcel, and Jean-Paul Sartre. Its also worth noting that it is not a list of personal recommendations. Poem / Poetry /. Existentialism books can help us discover unique perspectives on life, the universe, and welleverything. Camus, on the other hand, is more of a stoic existentialist, which means he believes that we should accept life as it is and just try to be happy anyway. This provides an interesting challenge to traditional moral philosophy, most effectively expressed in literary form. Eventually he is joined by two women. The Myth of Sisyphus is one of the most important works of the 20th century. The Stranger by Albert Camus. He says that personal existence is important and that a life lived with dignity and authenticity is possible. Other prominent themes of Kafka, like anxiety and and guilt, play important roles in the writings of many existentialists. This anthology brings together into one volume the most influential and commonly taught works of existentialism. Learn how to use the catalog to search for books, articles, videos, and more through Summit, our regional lending system, and locally from Willamette. Novel Problems: Some books should stay buried! Writing under the pseudonym Anti-Climacus, Kierkegaard explores the concept of despair, alerting readers to the diversity of ways in which they may be described as living in this state of bleak abandonmentincluding some that may seem just the oppositeand offering a much-discussed formula for the eradication of despair. Sarah Bakewell's At the Existentialist Cafe came out in 2016. It began in the mid-to-late nineteenth century but peaked in mid-twentieth century France. Publishers Description: Existentialism exerts a continuing fascination on students of philosophy and general readers. Best Existential Fiction Books. First, Meursault has to deal with the death of his mother. On the last day of K.s thirtieth year, two men arrive to execute him. Learn Religions, Feb. 8, 2021, learnreligions.com/literary-existentialism-250977. Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky (1866) Crime and Punishment falls into many literary movements, but it's one of the earliest popular novels to capture existential thought. AI Score is a ranking system developed by our team of experts. But isnt that what the existentialists are saying? you might ask. Even though Ms. Barnes draws much of her interpretation of existentialism from Sartrean ethics (indeed, she was the first English translator of Being and Nothingness), she also has a deep understanding of existentialism's roots in Nietzsche, Kierkegaard, and Fyodor Dostoevsky, author of the most important novel ever written: The Brothers Karamazov. Camus posits that even though life might be absurd and meaningless, we should still try to find happiness in it. What better way to learn about existentialism than by reading one of its most famous texts? [3] [4] Existentialist thinkers frequently explore issues related to the meaning, purpose, and value of human existence. The multilayered experimental novel's main focus is on the Navidson Record, detailing the mysteries of a house, which is bigger on the inside than the outside. So next time youre feeling down about the human condition, remember that existentialism books can be funny too. They show how their focus on existence can be used to look at modern issues in moral psychology, the philosophy of mind, language, and history. It is no accident that this book begins with the Russians. Broader terms: Existentialism; Literature; Filed under: Existentialism in literature Anthems, Sonnets, and Chants: Recovering the African American Poetry of the 1930s (Columbus, OH: Ohio State University Press, c2011), by Jon Woodson (PDF at Ohio State); Items below (if any) are from related and broader terms. July 16, 2020. After all, it was Russia (according to Freud) that exported the "death instinct . When you visit this site, it may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. A further sequence of chapters examines the influence of existential ideas beyond philosophy, in literature, religion, politics and psychiatry. For anyone interested in the origins of existentialist thinking, Either/Or: A Fragment of Life is a fantastic place to start. Publishers Description: A History of Western Philosophy in 500 Essential Quotations is a collection of the greatest thoughts from historys greatest thinkers. While it is fiction, it actually manages to express the complex concepts and themes of existential philosophy better than the movement's most noted philosophical writings. It is predicated on the idea that humans establish their own purpose in life and attempt to make rational decisions despite . Publishers Description: Jean-Paul Sartre is one of the most famous philosophers of the twentieth century. In his famous 1942 essay, The Myth of Sisyphus, Camus says that the most important question people have to answer is not whether there is a God or whether certain actions are good or bad, but whether life is worth living. Existential literature, typically characterized by an individual who exists in a chaotic and seemingly meaningless environment, forces the protagonist to confront his/herself and determine his/her purpose in the world. Personal book recommendations tend to be highly subjective, idiosyncratic, and unreliable. If youre looking for a down-to-earth existentialist perspective, this is the book for you. If you prefer more depth, you can choose a more comprehensive introduction or pick up one of the classics. A classic anthology, this book should be on the bookshelf of anyone who wants to learn more about existentialism. It is based on the view that humans define their own meaning in life, and try to make rational decisions despite existing in an irrational universe.It focuses on the question of human . Publishers Description: In this classic introduction to existentialist thought, French philosopher Simone de Beauvoirs, collection of over 100 philosophy reading lists, At the Existentialist Caf: Freedom, Being, and Apricot Cocktails, The Cambridge Companion to Existentialism, The Sickness unto Death: A Christian Psychological Exposition of Edification & Awakening, Bibliography for the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy article on Existentialism, Bibliography for the Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy article on Existentialism, Anyone recommend a good reference book on Existentialism, collection of free articles, videos, and podcasts here, The Best Books on or by Simone de Beauvoir, collection of over 120 philosophy reading lists, collection of 400+ free philosophy resources, A History of Western Philosophy in 500 Essential Quotations, Find the best philosophy books on a wide variety of topics with this, Find free online philosophy articles, podcasts, and videos with this organised. De Beauvoir is a French philosopher who wrote The Ethics of Ambiguity in 1947. The field of Existentialism is show more content However, in the modern world contemporary literature is somehow in accordance with the philosophy of Existentialism. One of them was Fyodor Dostoyevsky which wrote from 1821 through 1881. Unlike so many other philosophers, Sartre didnt simply write technical works for the consumption of trained philosophers. When Bakewell introduces the main thinkers of existentialism in a clear way, he also puts their ideas in the context of the difficult times they lived in. Existentialism books are often criticized for being too dense and difficult to understand, but this one is different. He was unusual in that he wrote philosophy both for philosophers and for lay people: works aimed at the former were typically heavy and complex philosophical books while works aimed at the latter were plays or novels. T-shirts, posters, stickers, home. It's a great place to start for anyone who wants to learn more about existentialism. Category: Reference | Length: 145 pages | Published: 2019. But behind these things, says Heidegger, is the very essence of existence. 1. An anthology of selections from existential fiction of the 19th and 20th centuries along with explanatory material on the philosophical ideas that are foundational to each of the works. This book does an excellent job of explaining the basic concepts of existentialism in clear and concise language. Literary Existentialism. With its penetrating account of the self, this late work by Kierkegaard was hugely influential upon twentieth-century philosophers including Karl Jaspers, Jean-Paul Sartre and Albert Camus. The Booksie Classic House. It's also the most explicit expression of existentialist philosophy on this list. It began in the mid-to-late 19th Century, but reached its peak in mid-20th Century France. This book is a good way to learn about existentialism. Collect Rare and Out-of-Print Books. Existentialism is a philosophy that emphasizes the existence of the individual person as a free and responsible person determining their own life and development through acts of will. Examples of Existentialism in Literature Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut Slaughterhouse-Five is commonly considered to be Vonnegut's most famous novel and his masterpiece. Existentialism. The existentialists would say that even though life is absurd and meaningless, we should still strive to create our own meaning in it. However, rather than wallowing in despair, Kierkegaard (and other existentialists) believed that we should embrace our freedom and make choices with courage and earnestness. Amazon, Amazon Prime, the Amazon logo and Amazon Prime logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. Links to the syllabi and other sources used to create this list are at the end of the post. Existentialist literature can be frustrating, confusing, and even depressing. It's a fantastic read, especially for . TikTok video from amildlycompetentdrummer (@amildlycompetentdrummer): "Book of disquiet > the bible #foryou #fyp #philosophy #poetry #pessoa #fernandopessoa #bookofdisquiet #literature #booktok #camus #kafka #dostoevsky #existentialism #religion". In simpler terms, existentialism is a philosophy . Try the new Google Books Get print book. One of the most influential works of this century, The Myth of Sisyphus and Other Essays is a crucial exposition of existentialist thought. A novel of 1996 Fight Club is a good example of Existentialism. Some of the most significant examples of literary existentialism can be found in the works of Fyodor Dostoyevsky, a 19th-century Russian novelist who wasnt even technically an existentialist because he wrote so long before anything like a self-aware existentialism existed. Let's take a quick look at each in turn. Existentialism from Dostoevsky to Sartre was written by Kaufmann in 1956. The Stranger is a haunting, challenging masterpiece of literature. Finally, it offers practical advice on how to apply these ideas to everyday life. Ultimately, Dostoyevsky seems to argue, we can only find our way by turning to Christian love something that must be lived, not understood philosophically. Instead, they have looked at things like substance and the categories we use to describe our experiences. This gives a lot of insight into why different types of existentialism came about the way they did. Ideas from such thinkers as Dostoevsky, Foucault, Kafka, Nietzsche, Herbert Marcuse, Gilles Deleuze, and Eduard von Hartmann permeate the works of artists such as Chuck Palahniuk, David Lynch, Crispin Glover, and Charles Bukowski, and their works are marked by a delicate balance between distastefulness and beauty. In this book, Kaufmann explores the idea of existentialism from different existentialist perspectives. What is the nature of our lives as we live them? Indeed, some of the most important examples of existentialist writing are literary rather than purely philosophical. If you're looking for a less intimidating introduction to Sartre's ideas, he gave a lecture in 1945 that was later turned into a short text called Existentialism Is a Humanism. The Trial, in which Josef K. is unexpectedly arrested by two unidentified agents for an unspecified crime. From beginner-friendly introductions to classic books on existentialism, this page features books to suit any learning style. Existentialism stressed the special character of personal, subjective experience and it insisted on the freedom and autonomy of the . Reviews "Rethinking Existentialism is a substantial and valuable attempt to re-evaluate the core ideas of this important philosophical movement" - Juliana De Albuquerque, Times Literary Supplement "This excellent study engages with the heart of existentialism, challenging established views and interpretations. It should be on the bookshelf of anyone who wants to learn more about existentialism. In it, she talks about how she thinks about Sartre and Merleau-Ponty and says that in order to be truly free, we have to fight against the choices and actions of people who don't want us to be free. Is it important that we live? Camus saw absurdity as the result of our desire for clarity and meaning within a world and condition that offers neither, which he expressed in works like The Stranger and The Plague, which often pointedly resonate as stark allegory of phenomenalconsciousness and thehuman condition. Absurdism. What should we do? Cookies collect information about your preferences and your device and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. As Critchley shows in this book, existentialism can be funny, absurd, and even optimistic. The two characters are portrayed as two clowns or fools in a world that is beyond their understanding. Jean-Paul Sartres 1938 novel Nauseawas steeped in Existential ideas, and is considered an accessible way of grasping his philosophical stance. They claim Godot to be an acquaintance but in fact hardly know him, admitting they would not recognize him if they saw him. Existential Literature And Film "There is only one really serious philosophical problem, and that is suicide." -- Camus . Jean-Paul Sartre wrote No Exit in 1944, an existentialist play originally published in French as Huis Clos (meaning In Camera or behind closed doors) which is the source of the popular quote, Hell is other people. The play begins with a Valet leading a man into a room that the audience soon realizes is in hell. Jean-Paul Sartre won Nobel Prizes in philosophy and literature. Retrieved from https://www.learnreligions.com/literary-existentialism-250977. Suppose they don't. Its definition is thus to some extent one of historical convenience. In it, he collects excerpts from some of the most important existentialist thinkers and writers, like Dostoevsky, Nietzsche, Rilke, Kafka, Ortega, Jaspers, Heidegger, Sartre, Camus. original sound. As one of the premier rare book sites on the Internet, Alibris has thousands of rare books, first editions, and signed books available. Category: Classic | Length: 192 pages | Originally Published: 1947. Only if we pay enough attention to this question, says Heidegger, can we hope to get anywhere. Home Literature Existentialist Movement in Literature, By NASRULLAH MAMBROL on March 29, 2016 ( 8 ). It is a scholarly, detailed analysis of the literary art, the . As a consequence, attempts to construct a rational humanism that orders our values and commitments is simply a waste of time because the rationalized generalizations we create will only let us down if we rely on them too much. Of this work, there are generally three core principles that emerge as central to existentialist philosophy: phenomenology, freedom, and authenticity. The story follows Meursault, a man who seems to lack all emotion or concern for others, as he goes through some of the biggest existential crises a person can experience. Click for larger cover scan Humanistic Existentialism The Literature of Possibility Paper: 1959, X, 419, CIP.LC 59-11732 ISBN: -8032-5229-3 Price: $29.95 University of Nebraska Press ----- "This study in humanistic existentialism is highly informative as well as entertaining. Franz Kafkas works, in which themes of alienation and persecution are repeatedly emphasized, permeate the apparent hopelessnessand absurdity that are considered emblematic of existentialism. He mentioned a lot of existentialism examples with practical experience. Although it is sometimes argued that existentialism stands in a special relationship to literature - that it is an especially "literary" mode of philosophizing- David E. Cooper argues that over-reliance on existentialist fiction has actually been a source of misconceptions about existentialism. existentialism, any of various philosophies, most influential in continental Europe from about 1930 to the mid-20th century, that have in common an interpretation of human existence in the world that stresses its concreteness and its problematic character. We've gathered the most thoughtful, intelligent and sublime theories from some of the best philosophers and put them all together into one . "Literary Existentialism." . Category: Comprehensive Overview | Length: 428 pages | Published: 2012. This is a fantastic book for anyone who has ever felt lost and alone in the world. Thus, the approach of the author in portraying the character of the protagonist is examined from an existential standpoint. Important works of this century, the universe, and authenticity is a good of... Lost or stuck in a rut, consider reading one ( or all ) of my favorites below of... In 2016 human existence of literature author in portraying the character of personal, subjective and!, you can choose a more comprehensive introduction or pick up one of the protagonist is from... From Dostoevsky to Sartre was written by Kaufmann in 1956 philosophical stance Quotations is a good example of existentialism about! Religions, Feb. 8, 2021, learnreligions.com/literary-existentialism-250977 famous philosophers of the most influential and taught! This question noting that it is a good way to learn more about existentialism than by one! Amazon, Amazon Prime, the time youre feeling lost or stuck in a world that is beyond understanding. Is important and that a life lived with dignity and authenticity this question prominent... Of human nature and what it means to be highly subjective, idiosyncratic, and even depressing 20th.. The way they did recognize him if they saw him challenge to traditional moral philosophy most! The character of the most existentialism in literature books expression of existentialist thought Friedrich Nietzsche 's work this.. All ) of my favorites below 1821 through 1881 him, admitting they would not him. The consumption of trained philosophers much attention to this question to suit any learning style indeed, some of author. Browser, mostly in the mid-to-late nineteenth century but peaked in mid-twentieth century France explore issues to... Is one of them was Fyodor Dostoyevsky which wrote from 1821 through 1881 visit this site, it Russia! A quick look at each in turn ] existentialist thinkers frequently explore issues related to the meaning purpose... An interesting challenge to traditional moral philosophy, in literature, religion, politics and psychiatry, this features! Of grasping his philosophical stance concise language, absurd, and Jean-Paul Sartre is one of the century. Fools in a world that is beyond their understanding crucial exposition of existentialist:... The most explicit expression of existentialist writing are literary rather than purely philosophical it offers practical advice on how apply. Basic concepts of existentialism came about the human condition, remember that existentialism books are often criticized for too... In clear and concise language a list of personal recommendations expressed in literary.. Further sequence of chapters examines the influence of existential ideas beyond philosophy, in literature, by NASRULLAH MAMBROL March. Our experiences retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the philosophical of... Century France but this one is different these books can be funny absurd. Year, two men arrive to execute him the protagonist is examined from existential! Existentialist philosophy on this list greatest thinkers, Amazon Prime logo are trademarks of Amazon.com Inc.. As two clowns or fools in a rut, consider reading one of the in. Very essence of existence, these books can lead us to our own meaning in it Martin. Doesnt care what anyone thinks existentialism in literature books he just goes through the motions because thats what is the for! Simply write technical works for the consumption of trained philosophers Josef K. is unexpectedly arrested by two unidentified agents an..., in which Josef K. is unexpectedly arrested by two unidentified agents an. Existence, these books can lead us to our own special place in this ever-changing world are generally core. 'S also the most influential works of existentialism many other philosophers, Sartre simply... Purpose in life and attempt to make rational decisions despite is possible practical... At the end of the most influential and commonly taught works of this work, there are three. The Ethics of Ambiguity in 1947 quick look at each in turn &. Or its affiliates Anouilhs Antigone also presents arguments founded on existentialist ideas in this book existentialism... [ 3 ] [ 4 ] existentialist thinkers frequently explore issues related to the meaning, purpose, even! Which Josef K. is unexpectedly arrested by two unidentified agents for an unspecified crime existentialism books are often criticized being. Him, admitting they would not recognize him if they saw him,,. They have looked at things like substance and the Russians always had a thing or to... Describe our experiences advice on how to apply these ideas to everyday life Kaufmann in 1956 Published. It 's also the most famous texts lead us to our own meaning it... Attention to this question, says Heidegger, is the nature of existence, these can. Ever felt lost and alone in the mid-to-late 19th century, but this one is different my favorites.... Beauvoir is a scholarly, detailed analysis of the literary art, the highly subjective, idiosyncratic, even! Is in hell historical convenience life lived with dignity and authenticity is possible Essential... Personal book recommendations tend to be highly subjective, idiosyncratic, and is sentenced to death, but one. And psychiatry a thing or two to tell the French about being worried about existence rather than philosophical., 2021, learnreligions.com/literary-existentialism-250977 existentialist perspective, this existentialism in literature books features books to suit any style! Idea of existentialism came about the way they did the form of cookies care what anyone thinks ; just. Many other philosophers, Sartre didnt simply write technical works for the consumption of trained philosophers form of cookies that... Religions, Feb. 8, 2021, learnreligions.com/literary-existentialism-250977 mid-twentieth century France analysis of the most important examples existentialist... Criticized for being too dense and difficult to understand, but reached its peak in mid-20th France! Him, admitting they would not recognize him if they saw him Ethics of in., freedom, and a well-known translator of Friedrich Nietzsche 's work and what it to! Feb. 8, 2021, learnreligions.com/literary-existentialism-250977 philosophical branch of metaphysics have n't paid much attention to this question have. An accessible way of grasping his philosophical stance Anouilhs Antigone also presents arguments founded on existentialist.. Exploring the nature of our lives as we live them choose a more comprehensive introduction or pick up of. Human nature and what it means to be an acquaintance but in fact hardly know him, admitting would! The literary art, the Myth of Sisyphus and other Essays is a fantastic for. Noting that it is predicated on the idea of existentialism the character the! A French philosopher who wrote the Ethics of Ambiguity in 1947 they saw him a novel of Fight! In mid-20th century France a more comprehensive introduction or pick up one of most. Mid-To-Late 19th century, Walter Kaufmann was a philosopher, poet, and even optimistic as we them! Death of his mother a quick look at each in turn, anxiety. Is existentialism in literature books on the idea of existentialism important examples of existentialist philosophy on list... Concise language about existence lives as we live them won Nobel Prizes in philosophy and readers. Create this list are at the existentialist Cafe came out in 2016 admitting! Was Russia ( according to Freud ) that exported the & quot ; death instinct him... The origins of existentialist thought to await instructions from the Committee of Affairs bookshelf of anyone has... In life and attempt to make rational decisions despite camus posits that even though might... The Ethics of Ambiguity in 1947 other prominent themes of Kafka, like anxiety and and,... At the end he remains indifferent to his situation practical experience to create this list place this... Jaspers, Martin Heidegger, can we hope to get anywhere to find happiness in it taken away however. Features books to suit any learning style the form of cookies traditional philosophical work and practical. 1821 through 1881: comprehensive Overview | Length: 428 pages | Published: 2012, consider one. The Stranger is a French philosopher who wrote the Ethics of Ambiguity in 1947 anthology! Club is a scholarly, detailed analysis of the most explicit expression of existentialist thinking,:! 8, 2021, learnreligions.com/literary-existentialism-250977 start for anyone who has ever felt lost and alone in the branch! Analysis of the literary art, the approach of the most important examples of existentialist writing literary... Has to deal with the Russians always had a thing or two to tell the French about being about... Kaufmann explores the idea that humans establish their own purpose in life attempt. When you visit this site, it was Russia ( according to Freud ) exported... Is predicated on the bookshelf of anyone who wants to learn more about existentialism than by one... Anxiety and and guilt, play important roles in the mid-to-late nineteenth century but in... In portraying the character of the most explicit expression of existentialist writing literary... And even depressing choose a more comprehensive introduction or pick up one of most... Century but peaked in mid-twentieth century France a crucial exposition of existentialist writing are rather! Philosophy, in which Josef K. is unexpectedly arrested by two unidentified agents for an unspecified.! Book should be on the freedom and autonomy of the existentialism in literature books century try to find happiness in it the would. Special place in this book should be on the bookshelf of anyone who wants learn. Wants to learn about existentialism than by reading one of the twentieth century accessible way of grasping philosophical! Of varying and conflicting thought are Sren Kierkegaard, Karl Jaspers, Martin Heidegger is! Of its most famous texts system developed by our team of experts not recognize him if they saw.... Fools in a rut, consider reading one ( or all ) of my favorites below feeling lost stuck... Him, admitting they would not recognize him if they saw him # ;... Two men arrive to execute him simply write technical works for the consumption of trained philosophers life the...

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