Abstract

This volume is the second study of Sartre by the author, who is professor of French literature at the University of Leeds. It is part of a series designed for general readers and students whose "work at some time crosses the disciplines of psychology, literature, and philosophy." The approach is biographical, although the actual contents of the book are in large part a discussion, in chronological order of Sartre’s literary, philosophical, and political writings. The study is divided into three parts: Sartre’s life and writings up to World War II; the period from 1940 through the early 1950’s; the most recent period, marked by Sartre’s growing political radicalism and disillusionment with literature. The author devotes considerable attention to Les Mots, Sartre’s autobiographical reflections on his childhood, in order to illustrate the threads of continuity and the basic reorientations in Sartre’s thought. What emerges is a three-pronged dialectic between Sartre’s early life, his social and political surroundings, and his own commitments. Professor Thody is quite appreciative of Sartre’s literary achievements, but more critical, though fair in his presentation, of Sartre’s philosophical and political writings. This book is a clear and accurate survey of Sartre’s writings. It is especially helpful regarding the last decade of Sartre’s career. There is a bibliography of Sartre’s works in French and some suggestions regarding books about Sartre.—H. F.