Consistent look at incoherent philosophy

The author uses biography and the context of the times to explain the development of Existentialism. She mostly stays within the 20th century but does make an exception with Kierkegaard (the father of Existentialism) and details the influence that Phenomenology had on the development of Existentialism.

The author excels when she is describing Philosopher's ideas. In the first half of the book, she probably spent two hours on Heidegger's "Being and Time" and what it meant. She actually did one of the best summaries of the book that I've ever come across. She did it so good, she probably should put a warning label in the book because that might lead the listener to hunt down a copy of the book and read the most abstruse and frustrating book ever written (it's well worth suffering through and I hope this book inspires some people to hunt it down and suffer through it).

I'm more interested in ideas than I am in people's lives. The author really does a good job at explaining the philosophy and putting it into the context of the time period. For me, the book is most fun when she's talking about esoteric fine points of the Philosophy under discussion. During the last 3 hours of the book, she's getting away from the ideas and focus more on the people, and even makes the statement that she thinks "ideas are less important and the life of the philosopher is just as important for discovering their philosophy". She's right, but I still prefer to focus on the ideas not the person. Heidegger was a raging Nazi, but I still like "Being and Time". (It's just a personnel thing and I realize the author in general is probably right).

The author gives a consistent look at what at times can be an incoherent philosophy with its mutually exclusive set of beliefs. I would say, the way the author put the book together this book was much more informative on the philosophy of Existentialism (and Phenomenology) then a Great Course lecture series on Existentialism that I've previously had listened to because the power of story with a narrative ties various aspects of a story together more coherently even when the philosophy can be incoherent.

[Usually I zone out the narrator, but for me Antonia Beamish is perfect for Sarah Blackwell's books. She narrates so well that I instantly think it's the author reading the book herself}

40 people found this helpful

Possibly the best book on Audible

This book has won first place in my Audible library (and I have 2 years worth of it). The ease of the performance and content kept me so engaged that I had to find excuses to keep headphones on. Although I am only relatively new to existential thought, I didn't feel disconnected. The story of the individual lives were so well entwined with their respective philosophies that (as well as intertwined) that I felt like I always took away some new insight. Bravo to the author and performer.

22 people found this helpful

Easy-to-follow and Intellectually Rewarding

My senior year of high school, I chose to take a class in philosophy and spent the better part of the semester regretting it. When I wasn't slamming my head against the desk, I was hiding under it, fearing my scraggly-bearded teacher would ask me what in the hell a piece of text meant. How I wish I had Sarah Bakewell's book back then. A hugely informative and amazingly clear look at the oftentimes dense concepts contained within the existentialist movement, the beauty of At the Existentialist Café is that it never feels like a cold, purely academic, examination of ideas. Instead, Bakewell situates existentialism amidst the biographies of its progenitors (Sartre, Beauvoir, Camus, Heidegger) and their place in history to construct a narrative that's easy-to-follow and intellectually rewarding.

8 people found this helpful

Timely and beautifully written

This fascinating overview of the lives and thinking of the principal modern existentialists is even more relevant now than when it was written. It was heartening to learn that a philosophy that champions freedom and responsibility was forged in the fire of a time when authoritarianism and mass violence threatened to destroy the world as we know it. Inspiring and very enjoyable.

5 people found this helpful

Absorbing and Thoughtful

This philosophical biography definitely leans more heavily towards biography but it seems indispensable for figures who stressed bringing back attention to the experience of life. Does a good job of conveying ideas of many interesting figures.

I particularly liked that it didn't approach each individual philosopher in their own section but continued with the story of the older ones even after they were out of the spotlight.

3 people found this helpful

Who knew existentialism could be fun

Would you consider the audio edition of At the Existentialist Café to be better than the print version?

No. Different use. I find quotes in the hard cover, but enjoyed the audio book.

If you could give At the Existentialist Café a new subtitle, what would it be?

Waiter, another round.

Any additional comments?

Well researched and engaging description

7 people found this helpful

An excellent introduction to the existentialists

I can't imagine a better introduction to Jean Paul Sartre, his fellow existentialists, and their forerunners.

3 people found this helpful

what an amazing introduction to existentialism!

I loved getting to know the major characters of the existentialist generation. I can't wait to dive deeper into this world and learn more!
thank you Sarah Bakewell!

2 people found this helpful

Great!

Another fantastic book by this author. it is a great introductory book of Sartre and Camus. My only reservation is it's more of a biography of the philosophers than discussion of their ideas.

1 person found this helpful

Not as good as Montaigne book!

I still keep listening to "How to Live" over and over again because of the breadth of its knowledge and insight. I loved how Sarah Bakewell moved between the centuries and let me get to know both Montaigne and his historical context. This book is very heavily focused on Heidegger and Sartre, so a reader had better already be into them. Her storytelling is so attractive, it'd be great if sometime she'd cover the longer story of existentialism, from Nietzsche and kierkegard up through more current repercussions!

1 person found this helpful