logo

82 pages 2 hours read

Thus Spoke Zarathustra: A Book for All and None

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1883

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

logo
Friedrich Nietzsche

Thus Spoke Zarathustra

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1883
Book Details
Pages

352

Format

Novel • Fiction

Publication Year

1883

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Roundup icon

Super Short Summary

Thus Spoke Zarathustra follows the philosopher Zarathustra as he seeks to share his wisdom with humanity, addressing concepts such as the death of God, the will to power, and eternal recurrence. He teaches about the overman and the importance of individualism, critiquing herd mentality and traditional institutions. This complex narrative employs allegory, personification, and symbolism to explore profound philosophical themes. The book includes moments of physical violence and discussion of death.

Challenging

Inspirational

Contemplative

Mysterious

Reviews & Readership

4.2

158,100 ratings

75%

Loved it

17%

Mixed feelings

8%

Not a fan

Roundup icon

Review Roundup

Friedrich Nietzsche’s Thus Spoke Zarathustra is celebrated for its profound philosophical insights and poetic style, making it a seminal work in existential and nihilistic thought. However, its dense and allegorical narrative can be challenging and polarizing for some readers. While it offers deep, thought-provoking content, its abstract nature may require multiple readings to fully grasp.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Thus Spoke Zarathustra?

A reader who enjoys challenging philosophical works, existential themes, and poetic prose will appreciate Thus Spoke Zarathustra by Friedrich Nietzsche. This book is ideal for those who value profound insights about human nature and are fans of works like Dostoevsky's Notes from Underground or Camus' The Stranger.

4.2

158,100 ratings

75%

Loved it

17%

Mixed feelings

8%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

352

Format

Novel • Fiction

Publication Year

1883

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

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.