With the development of the modern philosophy of existentialism between the two world wars, existentialism was formed as a separate literary direction that thematized the fundamental philosophical problems of human existence. The 20th century was marked by numerous catastrophes: two world wars, genocides, totalitarian regimes and technological developments that were often used against man instead of improving the quality of life. All of the above influenced philosophers and writers and their art. Important representatives of existentialist literature include Jean-Paul Sartre ("Nausea"), Albert Camus ("The Stranger") and Franz Kafka ("The Metamorphosis," "The Trial"), whose works are comparatively analyzed with Miroslav Krleža's novel "On the Edge of Reason". The thematic-ideological plan of existentialist novels is based on the problematic nature of human existence and a critical presentation of society that suppresses human individuality, which ultimately causes the dehumanization of the individual. Given that existentialist novels clash with society and the individual, the main character is also the bearer of the existentialist idea, so most of the narration relies on his psyche, which is revealed by numerous soliloquies marked by ironic discourse that "seduces" the reader.