# Nausea > novel by Jean-Paul Sartre **Wikidata**: [Q658288](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q658288) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nausea_(novel)) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/nausea ## Summary Nausea is a philosophical novel written by French existentialist Jean-Paul Sartre, first written in 1932 and published in 1938. It is considered a landmark work in existentialist literature and is classified as both a literary work for enjoyment and edification and as a philosophical novel—a distinct literary genre. The novel originates from France and has been widely referenced in literary and philosophical contexts. ## Key Facts - **Title:** Nausea (French: La Nausée) - **Author:** Jean-Paul Sartre - **Literary Classification:** Literary work (written work read for enjoyment or edification) - **Genre:** Philosophical novel - **Country of Origin:** France - **Year Written:** 1932 - **Year Published:** 1938 - **Wikipedia Title:** Nausea (novel) - **Wikidata Description:** novel by Jean-Paul Sartre - **Sitelink Count:** 43 (Wikipedia connections) - **Related Country Context:** France is a country in Western Europe with historical origins including West Francia (Treaty of Verdun, 843), Francia (481), and the First French Empire (1804) - **Related Notable Person:** Annie Ernaux (French writer, born 1940, citizenship France) ## FAQs **What type of novel is Nausea?** Nausea is classified as a philosophical novel—a literary genre that combines narrative storytelling with philosophical exploration of ideas and existential themes. **When was Nausea written and published?** The novel was written in 1932 and published in 1938, representing a significant period in French literature and existentialist philosophy. **Who is the author of Nausea?** Nausea was written by Jean-Paul Sartre, the influential French existentialist philosopher and writer. **What country is Nausea associated with?** Nausea originates from France, a country in Western Europe with a rich literary tradition and complex historical development spanning from early Frankish kingdoms to the modern French Republic. **How significant is Nausea in literary databases?** The novel has a sitelink count of 43, indicating substantial presence and reference across Wikipedia and related knowledge platforms. ## Why It Matters Nausea matters because it represents one of the earliest and most influential expressions of existentialist philosophy in novel form. Written by Jean-Paul Sartre, who would become the leading figure of 20th-century existentialism, the novel explores profound questions of existence, meaning, and human freedom that continue to resonate with readers and scholars today. The work established literary conventions for philosophical fiction, demonstrating how narrative can serve as a vehicle for complex philosophical ideas. The novel's publication in 1938 preceded Sartre's more famous philosophical works but already contained the core themes that would define existentialist thought: the absurdity of existence, the burden of freedom, and the anxiety of human existence. Nausea helped establish France as the center of existentialist philosophy and literature, a position the country would hold throughout the mid-20th century. The work remains relevant because it addresses universal human experiences—the feeling of nausea in the face of a meaningless universe, the struggle to find purpose, and the confrontation with the fundamental absurdity of existence. These themes continue to speak to contemporary readers grappling with questions of identity, purpose, and meaning in modern life. ## Notable For - Being one of the first major novels to fully express existentialist philosophy in literary form - Authored by Jean-Paul Sartre, who would become the most prominent existentialist philosopher of the 20th century - Written in 1932, making it an early expression of existentialist themes that would dominate post-war European thought - Establishing the philosophical novel as a recognized literary genre with substantial literary merit - Originating from France, which became the epicenter of existentialist philosophy and literature - Achieving significant cultural impact with 43 sitelink connections across Wikipedia knowledge platforms ## Body ### Authorship and Origins Nausea was written by Jean-Paul Sartre, the French philosopher, playwright, and novelist who would become the central figure of existentialist philosophy. The novel was composed in 1932, during a period when Sartre was developing the philosophical ideas that would later form the foundation of his existentialist system. The work represents Sartre's early literary exploration of themes he would later articulate more fully in his philosophical treatises. ### Publication History The novel was published in 1938, six years after it was written. This delay between writing and publication was not uncommon for literary works, particularly those that explored challenging philosophical themes. The 1938 publication came at a crucial moment in European history, on the eve of World War II, and the novel's existential themes would take on additional resonance as Europe faced existential crisis. ### Literary Classification and Genre Nausea occupies a unique position in French literature as both a literary work and a philosophical novel. It is classified under the literary work category—works written for enjoyment or edification—and specifically identified as a philosophical novel, a genre that combines narrative fiction with philosophical exploration. This dual classification reflects the novel's success in integrating philosophical content with literary merit. The philosophical novel genre, with 13 sitelink connections in the knowledge base, represents a distinct literary category that includes works by authors such as Albert Camus, Fyodor Dostoevsky, and Hermann Hesse. Nausea stands as a foundational text in this genre, demonstrating how novelistic form can serve philosophical purposes. ### National and Cultural Context The novel originates from France, a country with a rich literary and philosophical tradition. France's historical development—from early Frankish kingdoms through the Treaty of Verdun in 843, the formation of Francia in 481, to the First French Empire established in 1804—provided the cultural context for existentialist philosophy to flourish. France's intellectual environment, particularly in Paris during the interwar period, supported the development of radical philosophical ideas. The connection to France extends to the broader French literary tradition, which includes writers like Annie Ernaux (born 1940), a contemporary French writer whose work, while different in style, continues the French tradition of exploring existential and autobiographical themes. The sitelink count of 409 for France in the knowledge base reflects the country's substantial presence in global knowledge systems. ### Reception and Significance With a sitelink count of 43, Nausea maintains significant presence in digital knowledge platforms, indicating continued scholarly and general interest in the work. The novel is recognized as a foundational text of existentialist literature, influencing subsequent philosophical fiction and contributing to the broader cultural conversation about human existence and meaning. The work's significance extends beyond its literary merits to its role in popularizing existentialist philosophy. Many readers encountered existentialist ideas through Nausea before engaging with Sartre's more technical philosophical works, making the novel an important gateway to existentialist thought. ### Thematic Content While specific plot details are not provided in the source material, the novel's title and philosophical classification suggest exploration of existential themes—particularly the nausea or revulsion that can accompany confrontation with the absurdity of existence. These themes align with core existentialist concerns about freedom, authenticity, and the search for meaning in an apparently meaningless universe. ## References 1. Persée. 2003 2. BnF authorities 3. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013 4. [Nausea by Jean-Paul Sartre | Open Library](https://openlibrary.org/works/OL1161171W/La_nause%CC%81e?edition=key%3A/books/OL24946191M)