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4.22 AVERAGE
4.22 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
informative
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
The intriguing title entices the reader to find out a little more, but this is not a gimmicky book. The tone is light-hearted but the subject matter, the lives and thoughts of major phenomenologists and existentialists, is serious. Bakewell provides a fascinating introduction to the subject, linking the philosophy to the period and conveying the excitement of the new approaches. While Sartre and de Beauvoir figure prominently, one is also introduced to less well known thinkers like Merleau-Ponty, as well as the major phenomenologists, Husserl and Heidegger. There is also a strong cast of minor characters like Iris Murdoch and Arthur Koestler.
The links between them go far beyond shared cocktails and café society and Bakewell skillfully brings out the personal stories and their relevance to the work. The book also provides some fascinating background history of the times, some of it, such as the smuggling of Husserl’s archives, redolent of daring and intrigue. The philosophers and writers are brought to life not only through their friendships but also through their struggles and rivalries as in the evolution of the rift between Sartre/de Beauvoir and Camus.
Bakewell’s own entanglement with these philosophers from her discovery of Sartre through Nausea, at the age of sixteen, to her finally bringing herself to read Murdoch’s last work, Jackson’s Dilemma, provides an intimacy to the story and helps to highlight the continuing relevancy of these philosophers’ works. The ample notes, select bibliography and index give the lie to the substantial research undertaken for what is a very good read.
The links between them go far beyond shared cocktails and café society and Bakewell skillfully brings out the personal stories and their relevance to the work. The book also provides some fascinating background history of the times, some of it, such as the smuggling of Husserl’s archives, redolent of daring and intrigue. The philosophers and writers are brought to life not only through their friendships but also through their struggles and rivalries as in the evolution of the rift between Sartre/de Beauvoir and Camus.
Bakewell’s own entanglement with these philosophers from her discovery of Sartre through Nausea, at the age of sixteen, to her finally bringing herself to read Murdoch’s last work, Jackson’s Dilemma, provides an intimacy to the story and helps to highlight the continuing relevancy of these philosophers’ works. The ample notes, select bibliography and index give the lie to the substantial research undertaken for what is a very good read.
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
"What is existentialism?" - This book tries to answer this question. You will get to know lives and events that shaped the existentialist movement. These are (long line of) interesting thinkers that rejected any other world theories and emphasize that we just have one life and we should actively shape it (by indulging in it). The one quote that still stuck with me is "Life is an existentialist cafe".
What a brilliant read! Manages to storify philosophy without making it all about the philosophers sex life and drug addictions (although there's some of that too...). Best thing is, I think, that Bakewell follows the existentialists' own example of writing biography, but with the philosophical framework in mind. No doubt purists will find some of the assessments of the theories light, but the book does not pretend to be only--or mainly--a philosophical examination, so that's fine. Really enjoyable read, which I wish could be reproduced for other disciplines and personae in philosophy as well--although few lived in such times of turmoil as the existentialists.
funny
informative
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
Thorough exploration of existentialism. Touches on all the greats with depth.
Excellent book - even better than I expected. Beautifully written; well-judged balance of biography, cultural history, philosophy and gossip all blended together.
I didn't previously know much about existentialism or the philosophers of the 20th century, but this book was eye-opening. A great format that explores the themes and the history and lives of Sartre, de Beauvoir, Camus and more.
I'll be reading more.
I'll be reading more.
adventurous
informative
reflective
medium-paced