Recommended Readings per Movement

Absurdist works

"The Stranger" (L'Étranger) by Albert Camus: Follows Meursault, an indifferent Algerian Frenchman who experiences life's absurdity after committing murder.

"Waiting for Godot" by Samuel Beckett: Two characters, Vladimir and Estragon, wait endlessly for Godot, engaging in meaningless conversations and actions, highlighting the absurdity of existence.

"The Myth of Sisyphus" (Le Mythe de Sisyphe) by Albert Camus: Camus explores the concept of the absurd through the myth of Sisyphus, arguing that humans can find meaning in embracing life's inherent.

Existentialist works

"Nausea" (La Nausée) by Jean-Paul Sartre: Follows Antoine Roquentin, who experiences existential angst and a sense of nausea as he grapples with the absurdity of existence.

"The Trial" (Der Prozess) by Franz Kafka: Tells the story of Josef K., who is arrested and prosecuted by an inaccessible and absurd legal system, reflecting themes of alienation and existential dread.

"Fear and Trembling" (Frygt og Bæven) by Søren Kierkegaard: Explores the story of Abraham and Isaac from the Bible, delving into themes of faith, ethics, and the absurdity of existence.

Nihilist works

"Notes from Underground" (Записки из подполья) by Fyodor Dostoevsky: This novella explores the psyche of an unnamed narrator who embodies nihilistic views, rejecting societal norms and values while grappling with existential despair.

"Thus Spoke Zarathustra" (Also sprach Zarathustra) by Friedrich Nietzsche: Nietzsche's philosophical novel follows the prophet Zarathustra as he proclaims the death of God and introduces the concept of the Übermensch (Overman), challenging traditional values and embracing nihilistic ideas.

"The Conspiracy Against the Human Race" by Thomas Ligotti: This non-fiction work delves into philosophical pessimism and cosmic horror, exploring nihilistic themes through the lens of literature, philosophy, and psychology.