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Book review: Nausea by Jean-Paul Sartre
And the day approaches when, closing the last book on the last shelf on the far left, he will say to himself: And now what?
Seventeen years ago, in the first year of my bachelor’s, my roommate told me that her father had suggested she read Nausea. He was a high school literature teacher. She told me I should read it too. I tried to find the book, but at that time, for some reason, it was impossible to get hold of. I forgot about it.
Months ago, I started reading about existentialism and discovered that this book is considered the bible of the movement. Then, for my 35th birthday, while I was at Hatchards looking for a present for myself, I saw it.
I’m glad I didn’t read it when I was 18. I feel like the right time for me was now—to read it, to feel it, and to love it more than any book.
Nausea: A Book to Read, A Book to Remember
Jean-Paul Sartre’s Nausea is a philosophical novel that pulls us into the unsettling depths of existentialism. Published in 1938, it is often considered the cornerstone of existentialist literature, presenting a raw and unfiltered look at the absurdity of existence through the eyes of its protagonist, Antoine Roquentin.
Plot & Themes
The novel follows Roquentin, a solitary historian living in the fictional town of Bouville. As he documents the life of a historical figure, he begins to experience an overwhelming sense of nausea—a visceral reaction to the sheer existence of things. This existential crisis leads him to question the meaning of life, identity, and reality itself. Through his introspective musings, Sartre explores key existentialist themes: the absurdity of life, the burden of freedom, and the alienation that comes with self-awareness.
Roquentin’s nausea isn’t just a physical sensation; it’s a profound philosophical revelation. He realises that objects, people, and even his own existence lack inherent meaning. What Sartre suggests is both hopeful and terrifying. Hopeful—because he tells us we are free. Terrifying—because we are free. This freedom is both an opportunity and a prison; we are responsible for our own existence, with no external force to define it for us. Sartre masterfully portrays the weight of human consciousness—the way perception itself can turn existence into something oppressive and grotesque.
But what made it so special to me? Reading it felt like realising I’m not the only one who sees the world this way. Most importantly, it deepened my understanding of freedom, our role in life, and the significance of time and special moments.
The Idea of Freedom
What Sartre is trying to tell us in this book is liberating. It’s as if he is saying: ‘What if I told you that life, as a whole, is meaningless? And that you are the one who chooses to give it meaning—your desired meaning. You are free to shape it, just as you are free to destroy it. A bittersweet freedom.’ But isn’t it better this way? To take responsibility for your life instead of being a character in someone else’s story?
Past: Reality or Dream?
The protagonist, Antoine Roquentin, struggles with how the past relates to his present self and existence:
The Past as Inauthentic – Roquentin comes to see the past as something that is no longer real. He feels disconnected from his own memories and realises that trying to find meaning in them is futile. He reflects on past experiences, particularly his love affair with Anny, but he finds that they no longer hold the significance they once did.
The Past as a Construct – Sartre, through Roquentin, suggests that the past is merely a human invention. Unlike the present, which is filled with the overwhelming nausea of existence, the past feels stable and meaningful only because people impose narratives on it. However, Roquentin eventually sees this as an illusion.
The Weight of the Past – Roquentin collects historical documents for a biography he is writing, but he starts to feel that history itself is arbitrary and dead. His work, instead of giving him purpose, makes him feel that the past is nothing but a collection of meaningless facts, further deepening his existential crisis.
The Present Overcoming the Past – By the end of the novel, Roquentin realises that he must focus on the present and create meaning rather than search for it in the past. This aligns with Sartre’s existentialist philosophy, which rejects predetermined essence in favour of individual freedom and the creation of meaning.
I always tried to ignore the past and think of it as a dream. Recently, I started to feel that without a past, I am nothing. Our past, whatever its memories or effects on us, plays an important role in our existence, our present, and our future. It’s undeniable. Reading Nausea, I realised the past is a comforting illusion that crumbles when examined too closely. It is neither a source of stability nor identity but something transient and ultimately powerless in the face of raw existence.
Anny’s ‘Perfect Moments’
Just as we start to believe that Roquentin is utterly alone, we realise there is one person who once mattered deeply to him: Anny. She is his former lover, someone he hasn’t seen in years, yet her presence in his life remains undeniable. We meet her only towards the end of the book, but she leaves a lasting impression with her idea of “Perfect Moments”—rare, fleeting experiences of beauty and completeness that seem to stand outside the meaningless flow of time. For Anny, these moments are the only thing that makes life bearable, offering a sense of significance in an otherwise indifferent world.
She believes that true perfection isn’t spontaneous; it must be carefully crafted and seized at the right time. Unlike Roquentin, who spirals into existential despair, Anny tries to impose structure and meaning onto her life through these carefully curated experiences. However, as time passes, she realises that she can no longer recreate them. Life moves forward, and the illusion of control slips away.
I know. I know that I shall never again meet anything or anybody that will inspire me with passion. You know, it's quite an undertaking to start loving somebody. You have to have energy, generosity, blindness. ... There is even a moment, right at the start, where you have to jump across an abyss: if you think about it you don't do it. I know that I shall never jump again.
When she and Roquentin meet again, Anny is disillusioned, recognising that her pursuit of “Perfect Moments” was ultimately futile. This reflects Sartre’s broader existentialist idea: meaning cannot be found in fixed, idealised experiences—it must be created in the present, through the acceptance of one’s freedom and responsibility.
Anny’s disillusionment serves as a contrast to Roquentin’s nausea. While he recoils from the sheer weight of existence, she mourns the loss of a past where meaning still seemed possible. Both characters, in their own way, confront the impossibility of anchoring life to something solid and unchanging.
Final Thoughts
Nausea is a novel that does not provide comfort but rather forces us to confront the weight of our own existence. 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 acknowledge both the terror and the liberation of absolute freedom.
Reading it at the right time in my life made all the difference. It showed me that existence is something we must learn to bear, that meaning is something we must create. And perhaps, most importantly, it reassured me that I am not alone in feeling this way about the world.
Whether you want to learn about existentialism or simply explore existence itself, read this book. But read it at the right time—when you’re ready for it!
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Great and helpful review 👌👌