Ever found yourself staring into the void and wished it would at least tell a good joke? Wonder how a chain-smoking French philosopher with unflattering glasses became an intellectual sex symbol? Want to understand existentialism without developing an addiction to black turtlenecks and cigarettes?
“Sartre's No Exit” is the antidote to pretentious philosophical despair you've been waiting for. This irreverent guide takes you on a sarcasm-soaked journey through Jean-Paul Sartre's most influential ideas—from radical freedom and bad faith to the hellishness of other people—all while mercilessly mocking the man who made existential angst fashionable.
In these pages, you'll discover:
How Sartre transformed teenage angst into a philosophical system (and got famous for it)
Why your freedom is both absolute and absolutely terrifying
How we all lie to ourselves about our lies to ourselves
The philosophical roots of your social anxiety and public bathroom discomfort
Why “Hell is other people” doesn't mean what you think (but is still a great excuse for canceling plans)
How Sartre maintained numerous affairs while writing about authenticity
Essential tips for hosting your very own existentialist dinner party, complete with nihilistic cocktails!
Whether you're a confused student forced to read “Being and Nothingness,” a curious reader wanting to understand what the fuss is about, or someone who enjoys watching intellectual pretension get skewered by razor-sharp wit, this book is your perfect introduction to the man who made misery sound profound and smoking indoors seem philosophical.
