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Iron in the Soul

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( 2,686 ratings, 158 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Iron in the Soul by Jean-Paul Sartre delves into the profound disillusionment and moral quandaries facing individuals during the fall of France in 1940. As war encroaches, characters confront existential choices, grappling with themes of freedom, identity, and the search for meaning amidst chaos. This intense narrative captures the philosophical tensions between personal commitment and societal collapse.
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This novel may appeal to you if you enjoy thought-provoking explorations of existential themes and historical settings. Set during the onset of World War II, the narrative delves into the complex emotions and moral dilemmas faced by its characters amid the chaos of war. It's an engaging read for those interested in the intersection of the personal and the political.

Book Hero thinking about your next read

June 1940 was the summer of defeat for the French soldiers, deserted by their officers, utterly demoralized, awaiting the Armistice. This book tells what men thought and felt and did as France fell.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

June 1940 was the summer of defeat for the French soldiers, deserted by their officers, utterly demoralised, awaiting the Armistice. Day by day, hour by hour, Iron in the Soul unfolds what men thought and felt and did as France fell. Men who shrugged, men who ran, men who fought and tragic men like Mathieu, who had dedicated his life to finding personal freedom, now overwhelmed by remorse and bitterness, who must learn to kill.

Iron in the Soul, the third volume of Sartre's Roads to Freedom Trilogy, is a harrowing depiction of war and what it means to lose.

Series: Penguin Modern Classics

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Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Iron in the Soul is widely regarded as a compelling examination of existential themes and the human condition during wartime. Critics often praise Sartre's profound insight into the psyche of individuals confronting freedom and responsibility amid chaos. The novel is noted for its intense character development and philosophical underpinnings, engaging readers with its exploration of identity, choice, and moral ambiguity in the face of societal collapse.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780141186573

Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 26 September 2002

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Penguin Classics

Contributors:

  • Introduction by David Caute
  • Translated by Gerard Hopkins

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 20.0mm

Width: 130.0mm

Height: 199.0mm

Weight: 271g

Pages: 368

About the Author

Philosopher, novelist, playwright and polemicist, Jean-Paul Sartre is thought to have been the central figure in post-war European culture and political thinking. His most well-known works, all of which are published by Penguin, include THE AGE OF REASON, NAUSEA and IRON IN THE SOUL.

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