Thanks for your posts - I enjoyed reading them. I am half-way through Nausea...
I know what you mean about 'influence' - JPS smoked about a hundred ciggys a day, never owned a thing, sat in Paris cafes, went from women to women - hardly someone whose work I perhaps should let influence me.
I think what appeals though is the idea of personal responsibility. A sort-of irrational mind pitched against irrational universe - but actually celebrating that fact, embracing it, and striving to become more free and more peaceful, happy, caring, giving etc. Well within one's means, a series of choices, no less.
Anway, thanks for your really interesing responses!
Yardbird, I agree about the abstract etc - not always healthy. I've known plenty of people, myself included, who have modelled themselves on self destructive 'intellectuals'...but the problem being they have not the money or talent to actually be like them! Role models are important. But I think there is places for JPS in recovery! Some of his work can be read in an impowering way.