best existentialism authors?

Existentialism is a rich philosophical tradition. If you are looking to explore it, these authors are the most foundational:

• Jean-Paul Sartre: Often considered the face of existentialism, he argued that "existence precedes essence." His novel Nausea and play No Exit are excellent entry points for his ideas on freedom and the "absurd."
• Albert Camus: While he sometimes distanced himself from the formal label, his work is essential. The Myth of Sisyphus explores the struggle to find meaning in a world that offers none, and The Stranger is perhaps the most famous piece of existentialist fiction.
• Friedrich Nietzsche: A precursor to the movement, his work challenged traditional morality and the nature of truth. Thus Spoke Zarathustra and Beyond Good and Evil are critical for understanding his concepts like the "Will to Power."
• Søren Kierkegaard: Often called the father of existentialism, he was a Danish philosopher who focused on the subjective experience of the individual. His work, such as Fear and Trembling, deals with the personal responsibility of faith and choice.
• Simone de Beauvoir: Her work expanded existentialist thought significantly, particularly regarding gender and societal roles. The Ethics of Ambiguity is a fantastic, accessible foundation for understanding how existentialists view our responsibility to others.
• Franz Kafka: While a writer of fiction rather than a philosopher, his works—such as The Trial and The Metamorphosis—capture the feeling of existential dread and the absurdity of bureaucracy better than almost anyone else.

If you are just starting, I suggest beginning with Albert Camus’s The Stranger or Jean-Paul Sartre’s essay Existentialism Is a Humanism. They are relatively short and provide a very clear look at the core themes.