Jacques the Fatalist and His Master

Denis Diderot

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1796

Access Library

Book Brief

Denis Diderot

Jacques the Fatalist and His Master

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1796

Book Details

Pages

272

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

France • 18th Century

Publication Year

1796

Audience

Adult

Super Short Summary

Jacques the Fatalist and His Master by Denis Diderot follows Jacques and his master as they travel through rural France, with Jacques recounting tales of his romantic experiences. Their journey is filled with comedic and philosophical interruptions from other characters, logistical mishaps, and debates about free will and destiny, all orchestrated by an intrusive narrator who frequently addresses the reader. Contains discussions of violence and infidelity.

Humorous

Contemplative

Reviews & Readership

Review Roundup

Denis Diderot's Jacques the Fatalist and His Master garners praise for its innovative narrative style, philosophical depth, and humor. Critics admire its playful approach to storytelling and examination of free will. However, some find the digressive structure challenging. Overall, it's a thought-provoking and entertaining read that defies conventional norms.

Who Should Read Jacques the Fatalist and His Master?

Readers who relish witty, philosophical dialogues and metafiction will enjoy Denis Diderot's Jacques the Fatalist and His Master. Comparable to Laurence Sterne's Tristram Shandy, this novel appeals to those who appreciate narrative experimentation and reflections on free will, fate, and the art of storytelling.

Fun Facts

Jacques the Fatalist and His Master is often seen as a precursor to modern existentialism and postmodern literature, with its playful narrative structure and philosophical questioning of free will and determinism.

Denis Diderot began writing Jacques the Fatalist and His Master around 1765, but it was not officially published as a complete novel until 1796, over a decade after his death.

Subscribe to discover more Fun Facts!

The novel employs a metafictional style, where the narrator directly engages with the reader and characters, blurring the line between fiction and reality.