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Underground > Books, Criticism & Writing >

Philosophy and fiction

Icicle

08:19 / 19.04.03

I'm interested in the way the some books manage to intermingle philosophy and fiction, like Sophie's world does, but with a stronger emphasis on fiction. Could anyone recommend me any books that do this well? Thanks.

Shrug

14:02 / 19.04.03

You could try reading "The Magic Mountain" by Herman Hesse, or "Siddhartha" also by Hesse. The Magic Mountain is set in a tuberculosis clinic, its meant to be a microcosm of pre world war 1 europe but besides that I remember it had smatterings of philosphy. 'Sides its a good read ,(I never actually finished it though as my copy decided to rabbit on in French for a chapter or two). As far as I know "Siddhartha" explores Indian religious philosophy, haven't read it I'm afraid, but it has been rotting on my bookshelf for a while. My suggestion is check them out on Amazon to see what you think.

at the scarwash

00:39 / 20.04.03

What do you mean by philosophy? I haven't read Sophie's World, so that does be no good as an example. Do you mean Sartre-style this-novel-is-my-philosophy as parable kind of reads? Which I find dull. Hamlet reads much better, and asks more interesting questions. Or do you mean things like (god forbid) Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, in which the author provides you with a grade-school primer in Western philosophy (no Zen, curiously), and goes on at length about his nervous breakdown? I think that most great works of literature incorporate philosophical ideas, whether intentionally or not. Read good books, and you'll get what you're after. But if you're looking for something more overt, try Donald Barthelme. Some people might recommend Milan Kundera, but I can't stand him. Choose yer poison.

at the scarwash

00:39 / 20.04.03

Does be? Do I have a cold, or am I a pirate?

Icicle

06:13 / 20.04.03

I'm afraid I do mean things exactly like Zen and the Art of Motocycle Maintenence!! Thanks for the reminder though as I've read the book before I've only now realised it has exactly what I'm looking for. Basically I want both characters in books with their own philosophys and ones that include ideas of other philosophers, but not books where there are just one or two philosophical ideas as most books are but ones where the philosophy is crucial to the whole book. Maybe it's just a question of some rereading as I've read both Sartre and Kundera, I seem to love all the authors you hate! Will try out some Hesse and Barthelme. Funny how nobody's suggested any British authors. They don't seem to be a very philosophical bunch.
Sophie's World is an introduction to western philosophy intermingled with a story.

Nietzsch E. Coyote

10:25 / 20.04.03

British? Colin Wilson.
The Diceman is another philosophyish book or
[shudder] Ayn Rand, Anthem or such.

johnnymonolith

11:18 / 20.04.03

"The Magic Mountain" is actually by Thomas Mann; did you mean Hesse's "Journey To The East", perhaps?

Try some Burroughs, especially "The Western Lands"; plenty "fictional philosophical/ philosophical fiction" to sink your teeth into in that one.

Shrug

13:49 / 20.04.03

Thanks kimoto,yeah I just got the author wrong, it was indeed Thomas Mann who wrote "The Magic Mountain".

Shrug

13:53 / 20.04.03

Whoops, sorry about the s.p. on your name and the double post.
You could give, "How to be Good" Nick Hornby, a try? Its not very heavy, but it gives a little food for thought.

Jub

15:30 / 23.04.03

"When Nietzsche Wept: A Novel of Obsession" by Irvin D. Yalom - very rough synopsis - Nietzsche gets psycho-analysed by Freud.

I know you love Nietzsche, Icicle so this might be up your street!

LucasCorso

18:17 / 24.04.03

Well, don't forget "The tought gang" by tibor fischer....It's one of the funniest books I've ever read (I mean...I was laughing alone at the airport while I was reading....)and it's filled with very interesting philosophy stuff

Tuna Ghost: Pratt knot hero

07:30 / 25.04.03

I can't believe no one has mentioned Kurt Vonnegut's Cat's Cradle.

Tiger got to hunt
Bird got to fly
Man got to ask himself "why, why, why?"

Tiger got to sleep
Bird got to land
Man got to tell himself "I understand".

Seeing several "got"s together like that makes me feel funny. I just thought you should know.

Jub

13:28 / 25.04.03

"Philosophical Investigations" (by Philip Kerr) is a detective novel with a hint of (you guessed it - Wittgenstienian) philosophy. Probably worth a go but as I say, not exactly choc full of philosophical musings. Set in London though, and I always like that.

dj kali_ma

20:17 / 25.04.03

The Professor and the Madman by Simon Winchester might not be a strict fiction, but it might suit your needs.

A.

jackamo

16:33 / 27.04.03

imagine sophies world on acid and you still dont get close :

the last trilogy by philip k dick: "valis", "divine invasion" and "the transmigration of timothy archer" has more philosophic thought in it than most western academic departments - and if you like that - go to google - type in "exegisis" and "philip k dick" for a primer.

speaking of trilogies - of course the illuminatis is pure philosophy in the best sense of the word.

and scrolling down i notice someone mentioned uncle bill's "the western lands" part of the trilogy with "cities of the red night" and "the place of dead roads". - IMHO - the best work he ever did apart from "the job".

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