Sartre, as the formulator and exponent of existentialism, has received considerable critical attention in recent months. This, the first volume of a trilogy, will introduce Sartre as a novelist to a wider American market. Even with the stimulus of interest in the author, one questions his appeal for that market; the negativistic, fatalistic philosophy narrows down to a concern for men and women in physically distasteful detail which some will find unpleasant. This first volume is a leisurely introduction to Mathieu Delarue, Mathieu who wants to be a free man, who believes that if he didn't try to assume responsibility for his own existence, it would be absurd to go on existing, who has renounced all political affiliations to be free, and has refused marriage for the same reason. Dictating his own life, he is trapped for the first time when Marcelle, mistress of seven years, becomes pregnant. Trying to raise money for an abortion and failing, Mathieu finally steals 4000 francs only to find that Marcelle has determined to have the child, and will marry Daniel, homosexual, to give it a name....The novel is interesting as full evidence of existentialism, and will assuredly receive critical and intellectual notice.
Pub Date: July 14, 1947
ISBN: 0679738959
Page Count: 416
Publisher: Knopf
Review Posted Online: Oct. 4, 2011
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 1947
BOOK REVIEW
Worthwhile reference stuffed with facts and illustrations.
A compendium of charts, time lines, lists and illustrations to accompany study of the Bible.
This visually appealing resource provides a wide array of illustrative and textually concise references, beginning with three sets of charts covering the Bible as a whole, the Old Testament and the New Testament. These charts cover such topics as biblical weights and measures, feasts and holidays and the 12 disciples. Most of the charts use a variety of illustrative techniques to convey lessons and provide visual interest. A worthwhile example is “How We Got the Bible,” which provides a time line of translation history, comparisons of canons among faiths and portraits of important figures in biblical translation, such as Jerome and John Wycliffe. The book then presents a section of maps, followed by diagrams to conceptualize such structures as Noah’s Ark and Solomon’s Temple. Finally, a section on Christianity, cults and other religions describes key aspects of history and doctrine for certain Christian sects and other faith traditions. Overall, the authors take a traditionalist, conservative approach. For instance, they list Moses as the author of the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Hebrew Bible) without making mention of claims to the contrary. When comparing various Christian sects and world religions, the emphasis is on doctrine and orthodox theology. Some chapters, however, may not completely align with the needs of Catholic and Orthodox churches. But the authors’ leanings are muted enough and do not detract from the work’s usefulness. As a resource, it’s well organized, inviting and visually stimulating. Even the most seasoned reader will learn something while browsing.
Worthwhile reference stuffed with facts and illustrations.Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2005
ISBN: 978-1-5963-6022-8
Page Count: -
Publisher: N/A
Review Posted Online: May 23, 2010
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
This a book of earlier, philosophical essays concerned with the essential "absurdity" of life and the concept that- to overcome the strong tendency to suicide in every thoughtful man-one must accept life on its own terms with its values of revolt, liberty and passion. A dreary thesis- derived from and distorting the beliefs of the founders of existentialism, Jaspers, Heldegger and Kierkegaard, etc., the point of view seems peculiarly outmoded. It is based on the experience of war and the resistance, liberally laced with Andre Gide's excessive intellectualism. The younger existentialists such as Sartre and Camus, with their gift for the terse novel or intense drama, seem to have omitted from their philosophy all the deep religiosity which permeates the work of the great existentialist thinkers. This contributes to a basic lack of vitality in themselves, in these essays, and ten years after the war Camus seems unaware that the life force has healed old wounds... Largely for avant garde aesthetes and his special coterie.
Pub Date: Sept. 26, 1955
ISBN: 0679733736
Page Count: 228
Publisher: Knopf
Review Posted Online: Sept. 19, 2011
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 1955
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