Cover of Nausea

Literary · Philosophy

Nausea

3.7 out of 5, from 256 ratings from Hardcover readers

Antoine Roquentin, a historian living in a French port town, keeps a diary of a growing sense of disgust at the sheer existence of objects and people. It is Sartre's novel of existentialism.

Facts last checked 2026-10-17

First published
1938
Pace
Slow
Length
Short
Pages
196
Format
Standalone

Read this if you want an early existentialist novel and enjoy introspective, plotless narrators.

Skip this if you want a conventional story with events and resolution.

The feel

Content warnings

  • Mental illness

Quick answers about Nausea

What is Nausea about?
Antoine Roquentin, a historian living in a French port town, keeps a diary of a growing sense of disgust at the sheer existence of objects and people. It is Sartre's novel of existentialism.
Who should read Nausea?
Read it if you want an early existentialist novel and enjoy introspective, plotless narrators. Skip it if you want a conventional story with events and resolution.
How long and how fast is Nausea?
It is a slow-paced, short read of about 196 pages, first published in 1938.
Does Nausea have content warnings?
Content we flag: Mental illness.
Can I borrow Nausea for free?
Often, yes. Check Libby (OverDrive) to see whether your library lends Nausea; the borrow button above searches it for you.

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