Sartre's Autobiography

Author: (French) Sartre
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2007-11-01
Features: For any literary biographer, the most valuable material the autobiographical writings left by the subject, even just a few words. This book is Sartre's own words, the only fragments of his life. On June 21, 1905, a boy was born in Paris. Before his eyes even opened, he began to cry loudly, proving his health to the world. Unlike other children, his cries had another meaning: misfortune in the family. His father was ill, and by the time he was one year and three months old, he suffered from fever and enteritis before finally passing away. Forty years later, this child became world-famous, becoming the most influential writer and thinker of the 20th century. His name is Jean-Paul Sartre. And his young mother, Anne-Marie, affectionately called him "Poul," allowing us to savor his life through his remarkable writings.
Jean-Paul Sartre (1905–1980) was the most active figure in post-World War II French intellectual and cultural circles. In philosophy, he was the spokesperson for the existentialist philosophy that became popular throughout the Western world after the war. In literary theory, he proposed "engaged literature" in response to the widespread trend of "art for art's sake" in the literary world, advocating that writers should engage with the times and contribute to changing society. In his novels and plays, he actively addressed major social and political issues of his time while providing popular and vivid interpretations of his philosophical beliefs. His works have been translated into many languages and have had a wide influence worldwide.