Nausea

John-Paul Sartre

1938

May, 2023

9/10

The story definitely feels very dated and very "French" at times. The biggest issue I had was the musing on various streets, historical figures, and historical ideas. However, these thoughts always served a purpose. While the thoughts themselves were (to me) irrelevant, the very process of thinking becomes a theme in the book which I can appreciate.

Nevertheless, the description of the "Nausea" and the feelings the protagonist has — the "sudden change" and the questions of "who changed: him, or the world?" — were very well articulated and relatable.

Additionally, the commentary on what it means to be alive was very relatable with excellent delivery. From the description of "adventure" to the musings on other people (like the "one of us" explanation at the cafe), the book makes you see yourself in the protagonist even if he isn't relatable. The ideas are exceptionally well expressed.

While there are some shortcomings, mostly due to the time and place, the book as a whole is excellent at conveying the feeling of "Nausea" and self-aware existence in general.

If nothing else, the ending of the book makes it worth reading. While I can wish it didn't have its issues, Nausea is one of the few books that elegantly finishes by evoking the thought: "Oh, now I understand". It says exactly what it needs to. Nothing more, and nothing less. And it lasts.