best french existentialist novels

One of the best is 'Nausea' by Jean - Paul Sartre. It really delves into the concept of existential angst through the character's experiences and his sense of the world as 'nauseating' in its absurdity.

Sure. 'Nausea' by Sartre is excellent. It's a novel that makes you think about existence on a deep level. The main character's internal monologues are really thought - provoking.

One of the best is 'The Stranger' by Albert Camus. It follows the story of Meursault, a detached man whose actions are driven by the absurdity of life. His lack of conventional emotions and his experiences, like dealing with the death of his mother in a rather nonchalant way, make the reader question the norms of society and the meaning of existence.

Sure. 'Waiting for Godot' by Samuel Beckett. This play, which can also be considered in the realm of the existentialist novel, has two characters, Vladimir and Estragon, waiting for someone named Godot who never arrives. It shows the futility of waiting and the aimlessness of human existence.

There are several authors. Ernest Hemingway wrote 'A Clean, Well - Lighted Place' which is an existentialist short story. Charlotte Perkins Gilman is the author of 'The Yellow Wallpaper' which has existentialist undertones. Also, Herman Melville, the man behind 'Bartleby, the Scrivener' which is a significant existentialist piece.

For me, 'The Yellow Wallpaper' by Charlotte Perkins Gilman has strong existentialist elements. The protagonist's descent into madness as she is confined shows the struggle against a repressive society and the search for one's own identity. In addition, 'Bartleby, the Scrivener' by Herman Melville is an interesting existentialist short story. Bartleby's repeated 'I would prefer not to' is a powerful statement about individual agency and the refusal to conform to the demands of a meaningless world. 'The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas' by Ursula K. Le Guin also stands out. It presents a moral and existential conundrum about the price of a utopia.

Existentialist novels often explore themes like the absurdity of life, individual freedom, and the search for meaning. Characters in these novels are typically in a state of angst, constantly grappling with the uncertainties of existence. For example, in Sartre's 'Nausea', the protagonist experiences a profound sense of the world's meaninglessness.

A very suitable one is 'L'Étranger' (The Stranger) by Albert Camus. The narrative is relatively straightforward, and the vocabulary and grammar used are within the reach of intermediate learners. It's a thought - provoking novel that delves into themes like alienation and the meaning of life. Listening to it can enhance your understanding of French sentence structures and common expressions.

One of the most well - known classic existentialist novels is 'The Stranger' by Albert Camus. It presents a character, Meursault, who seems detached from society's norms and values, which is a key aspect of existentialist thought.

Another well - known existentialist novel is 'The Trial' by Franz Kafka. While Kafka may not be strictly an existentialist, his work often deals with themes related to existentialism. In 'The Trial', Josef K. is arrested and put on trial for reasons that are never clearly explained, highlighting the sense of alienation and the absurdity of the human condition.