Collected Works of Jean-Paul Sartre (Complete Three Volumes)

Author: Jean-Paul Sartre (French), translated by Gui Yufang and others
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Features: Many of Jean-Paul Sartre's works are not novels in the traditional sense. Works like The Rice Bowl, The Journey to Ulmen, and The Return of the Prodigal Son are quite distant from the traditional definition of a novel, and so are Proust and The Vatican Cellar. In Sartre's time, the novel form was created and established by novelists in the 19th century. The basic requirement of this model is that the novel must have a coherent plot, the development of the plot must align with readers' understanding of life logic, and the characters' identities, personalities, thoughts, and emotions must all be clearly defined, with their actions appearing realistic and believable. In Sartre's works, the narrator no longer possesses the omniscient and all-knowing qualities of a god. Although Sartre classified The Counterfeiters as a novel, he never intended to create a new novelistic model. His entire body of narrative works demonstrates that his creative process was one of continuous exploration and innovation. Each of his novels is an experiment, offering invaluable inspiration to later innovators. What Sartre left behind for future generations may not be his works themselves, but rather this spirit of relentless exploration—a mindset that fully embraces the process of discovery, regardless of whether applause and accolades follow.
Lastly, it should be noted that Sartre's contribution to 20th-century French literature has another significant aspect: his involvement with the founding of The New French Review by the French publisher Gallimard. Sartre was one of the early key collaborators. This journal was known for promoting literary revolution and discovering new talent, exerting a great influence on 20th-century French literature. In this regard, Sartre's contributions are equally noteworthy.