Sartre This page is a start at documenting my Sartre collection. He's one of my favorite writers -- I love his plays, find his novels great but difficult, and generally dislike his philosophical books. Existentialism, as far as I'm concerned, is best when laden with irony and humor. Sartre's philosophical books have neither, and are deadly dull. His plays, however, are thought provoking while being foot-stomping hilarious, and are among my favorite items in my library. My favorite Sartre play is his Le Diable et le Bon Dieu which remains fairly unknown. Around the beginning of the year 2000, I decided to purchase an english version for my wife to read, and also read it myself as well. The original British edition Lucifer and the Lord is fairly easily obtained (check out A.B.E.). The translation is competent. The story follows a brilliant war general who is trying to be creative by being evil: being good is so cookie-cutter, so easy, that he despises and aims to invent new evil deeds. Midway through his attempt, he becomes convinced that doing good is much more difficult, since it is impossible to do a purely good deed -- you always end up harming someone or something. Philosophical, funny and straightforward to read: I recommend this book as an introduction to Sartre. Let Mots is Sartre's autobiography, though it only covers his childhood. It is considered one of his best works, though I found it a little slow at times. La P.. Respecteuse - the story of a prostitute Annie Cohen-Solal - I'm told that it is an incredible biography of J-P Sartre. It's a VERY thick book, and I haven't yet had the courage to begin it. It's also available in English. Les Mains Sales - a famous play, about how everyone's hands are tainted with blood. Les séquestrés d'Altona - another famous play Albert Camus, that other existentialist guy.