The Letters of Samuel Beckett: Volume 2, 1941–1956 - Hardcover

Beckett, Samuel

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0521867940 ISBN 13: 9780521867948

Publisher: Cambridge University Press, 2011

Synopsis

This second volume of The Letters of Samuel Beckett opens with the war years, when it was often impossible or too dangerous to correspond. The surge of letters beginning in 1945, and their variety, are matched by the outpouring and the range of Beckett's published work. Primarily written in French and later translated by the author, the work includes stories, a series of novels (Molloy, Malone meurt and L'Innommable), essays and plays – most notably En attendant Godot. The letters chronicle a passionately committed but little known writer evolving into a figure of international reputation, and his response to such fame. The volume provides detailed introductions which discuss Beckett's situation during the war and his crucial move into the French language, as well as translations of the letters, explanatory notes, year-by-year chronologies, profiles of correspondents and other contextual information.

About this title

Review

'[A] magnificent volume of letters ... painstakingly prepared by the editors.' Irish Times

'Not to beat about the bush, here's the book of the year ... Beckett's is the most significant literary correspondence of its time ... a marvellous book.' Evening Standard

'The waiting is over ... as painstakingly researched and rewarding as the first volume ... This meticulous, all-encompassing collection is the sweetest of treats for Beckett fans.' Sunday Times Ireland

'It is hard ... to read this 800-page tome and not come away rather liking Sam Beckett.' Irish Daily Mail

'The best news is there are still two volumes left to come ... this project should constitute one of the most valuable feats of literary scholarship to appear in the past fifty years.' Sunday Times

'With the publication of this second exhaustively-accoutred volume, The Cambridge University Press edition of Samuel Beckett's letters is shaping up to be an imposing edifice of literary scholarship ... Beckett's letters are a joy to read.' Sunday Business Post

'It sheds a lot of light on his friendships, and more generally. It's illuminating, even for people who knew him very well.' Edward Beckett, Irish Times

'Despite the size of the book, every effort has been expended by the editors to assist the reader. Almost every detail has been helpfully annotated; a precise chronology for each year has been provided, noting the main events in Beckett's career and the principal current events ... This is a book to treasure.' The Irish Independent

'Speaks volumes about Beckett ... A fascinating aspect of the letters is witnessing the emergence of an artist, and the inward turn necessary to fulfil his great vision ... Perhaps the chief pleasure of this volume is the cliché-busting Beckett that emerges.' Irish Examiner

'A sequel much richer than the first, retracing Beckett's core literary output. And what majestic, impassioned letters! The editorial team hits the right notes: useful supporting apparatus; extensive translations from French; but best of all, selections of Beckett often at his best, 'searching for a way of capitulating without giving up utterance - entirely'.' Matthew Feldman, The Times Higher Education Supplement

Book Description

The Letters of Samuel Beckett makes available for the first time a comprehensive range of letters of one of the greatest literary figures of the twentieth century. This volume covers the writing of his greatest works, including Waiting for Godot.

About this edition

• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Publication date: 2011
• ISBN 10: 0521867940
• ISBN 13: 9780521867948
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 886
• Editor: Craig George, Fehsenfeld Martha Dow, Gunn Dan, Overbeck Lois More