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The Wall

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The Wall is Jean-Paul Sartre's first and only collection of short fiction, first published in 1939. The title story follows a prisoner during the Spanish Civil War who faces execution and must decide whether to betray a comrade to save himself. The book explores themes of mental torment, loyalty, madness, sexuality, death, and political ideology. Other stories include "The Bedroom," "Herostratus," "Intimacy," and "The Childhood of a Leader," which traces a young man's emotional decline and fascist awakening. This collection offers an accessible insight into Sartre's early existentialist thought.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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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?

Ideal for readers interested in philosophical fiction, existentialism, and psychological narratives that explore themes of loyalty, identity, and political turmoil.

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This collection, which also includes ‘The Room’, ‘Erostratus’ and ‘Intimacy’, as well as ‘The Childhood of a Leader’, provides a fascinating and accessible introduction to the author who would become the figurehead of Existentialism.

This collection, which also includes ‘The Room’, ‘Erostratus’ and ‘Intimacy’, as well as ‘The Childhood of a Leader’, provides a fascinating and accessible introduction to the author who would become the figurehead of Existentialism.

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

Only UK edition in print

First published in 1939, a few years before his most influential works in theatre and philosophy, The Wall was Sartre’s first and only collection of short fiction. The title piece tells the story of a prisoner during the Spanish Civil War, on the eve of his execution by a firing squad, who is told he will be spared if he can betray the whereabouts of a fellow Republican. This leads him to question his cause and his loyalty, as the mental torment that he and two other inmates endure unfolds in unflinching detail.

This collection, which also includes 'The Bed', 'Herostratus' and 'Intimacy', features short psychological tales in which individuals grapple with questions of madness, sexuality and death. It also contains 'The Childhood of a Leader', the extended chronicle of a young man’s emotional deterioration and embrace of Fascism. Altogether, it provides a fascinating and accessible introduction to the author who would become the figurehead of Existentialism.

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?

A fascinating and indispensable collection of Sartre's short fiction. – Justin Cartwright

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780714548517

Publisher: Alma Books Ltd

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 22 November 2018

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Calder Publications Ltd

Contributors:

  • Translated by Andrew Brown
  • Translated by Andrew Brown

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 20.0mm

Width: 128.0mm

Height: 198.0mm

Weight: 208g

Pages: 224

About the Author

The father of Existentialism and one of the key figures of French twentieth-century philosophy, Jean-Paul Sartre (1905–80) was equally famous for his plays, novels and political writings.

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