36 pages • 1 hour read
Nightwood
A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Book Brief
208
Novel • Fiction
Europe • 1920s
1936
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
Nightwood by Djuna Barnes, first published in 1936, follows the lives of Robin Vote and those entwined with her as she seeks autonomy and wrestles with her desires. Set primarily in 1930s Paris, the novel also ventures into Vienna, Berlin, and America. It explores same-sex romance and women's independence from traditional marriage, distinguished by its dense poetic language and modernist style. The novel depicts experiences related to World War One and the ensuing cultural shifts. Sensitive topics include mental health challenges faced by individuals.
Mysterious
Melancholic
Dark
Contemplative
Unnerving
Reviews & Readership
13,808 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Nightwood by Djuna Barnes is a highly poetic and complex novel celebrated for its rich, evocative prose and deep exploration of marginalized identities. Critics applaud its groundbreaking narrative structure and vivid character portrayals but note its dense, non-linear storytelling can be challenging. A pioneering work of modernist fiction, it remains polarizing yet influential.
Who Should Read Nightwood?
Nightwood by Djuna Barnes appeals to readers who appreciate modernist literature and complex, lyrical prose. Fans of Virginia Woolf's Mrs. Dalloway and James Joyce's Ulysses will find the experimental narrative and exploration of human relationships engaging. This novel is ideal for those intrigued by themes of identity, love, and existentialism.
13,808 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
208
Novel • Fiction
Europe • 1920s
1936
Adult
18+ years
Continue your reading experience
Subscribe now to unlock the rest of this Study Guide plus our full library, which features expert-written summaries and analyses of 8,000+ additional titles.