Can you recommend some existential mystery novels?

Existential mystery novels often feature characters who are in search of meaning. For example, in many such novels, the protagonist may be facing a personal crisis that forces them to question their purpose in life. This internal struggle is a key characteristic.

Sure. 'The Plague' by Albert Camus is a great one. It tells the story of a town stricken by plague and through the characters' experiences, it explores themes like human nature, mortality, and the search for meaning during a crisis.

Sure. 'The Stranger' by Albert Camus is a very well - known existential novel. It tells the story of Meursault, a man who seems detached from the world around him and his actions lead to a complex exploration of meaning and existence. Another one is 'Nausea' by Jean - Paul Sartre. It delves into the experiences of Roquentin, who feels a sense of nausea when confronted with the absurdity of existence. Also, 'The Trial' by Franz Kafka can be considered in this category. It shows the protagonist Josef K.'s bewildering experience in a bureaucratic and seemingly senseless legal process, which reflects on the nature of human existence in an oppressive and incomprehensible world.

One great existential fantasy novel is 'The Neverending Story' by Michael Ende. It blurs the line between reality and fantasy and makes readers question the nature of existence. Another is 'Alice's Adventures in Wonderland' which can be seen as existential in a way as Alice constantly faces strange situations that make her re - evaluate her understanding of the world.

One of the well - known existential detective novels is 'The Stranger' by Albert Camus. In this novel, the main character's detached and indifferent attitude towards life and the events around him, including a murder he commits, reflects existentialist ideas within the framework of a sort of 'detective - like' exploration of his own actions and the world's reaction to them.

Sure. 'Invisible Man' by Ralph Ellison is an important existential American novel. The protagonist's journey in a society that often makes him feel invisible is a profound exploration of identity and existence. Then there's 'A Farewell to Arms' by Hemingway. The love story set against the backdrop of war forces the characters to face the absurdity of life and the inevitability of death, which are key aspects of existential thought.

Sure. 'The Long Goodbye' by Raymond Chandler is a great example. The main character, Marlowe, is not just a detective but also a complex figure dealing with his own sense of self and his place in a rather unforgiving world. Also, 'American Psycho' by Bret Easton Ellis has elements of existential crime. It shows the extreme and disturbing psyche of a character who is involved in violent acts while also being a part of the consumerist society, which gives it an existential flavor.

Sure. 'The Trial' by Franz Kafka is a great existential novel. It tells the story of Josef K., who is arrested and put on trial, but he doesn't know what he's being accused of. This shows the sense of powerlessness and the absurdity of the world that is common in existential works.

Sure. 'The Trial' by Franz Kafka is a classic. It tells the story of Josef K., who is arrested and put on trial without knowing his crime. This reflects the sense of powerlessness and the mystery of existence in a world that often seems irrational.

For beginners, 'The Stranger' is a great start. It's not too complex in its narrative but still packs a punch in terms of existential ideas. You can easily follow Meursault's story and start to understand concepts like the absurd.