Samuel Beckett's Library - Hardcover

Van Hulle, Dirk; Nixon, Mark

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1107001269 ISBN 13: 9781107001268

Publisher: Cambridge University Press, 2013

Synopsis

Samuel Beckett's Library critically examines the reading notes and marginalia contained in the books of Samuel Beckett's surviving library in Paris. Previously inaccessible to scholars, this is the first study to assess the importance of the marginalia, inscriptions, and other manuscript notes in the 750 volumes of the library. Setting the library into context with other manuscript material such as drafts and notebooks, this book examines the way in which Beckett absorbed, 'translated', and transmitted his reading in his own work. It thus illuminates Beckett's cultural and intellectual world, and shows the ways in which his reading often engendered writing.

About this title

Review

'Jorge Luis Borges has narrated the story of a man who buys Shakespeare's memory. Similarly, this exhaustive and compact book gives you access to Samuel Beckett's memory. Beckett's Library, which will become an indispensable reference for future Beckett studies, guides you step by step through Beckett's extensive and polyglot library, explaining its annotations, marginalia, and cross-references. And be reassured, this library also includes Shakespeare ...' Jean-Michel Rabaté, University of Pennsylvania

'[Beckett's Library] is a magnificent piece of work. I am mightily impressed with it.' Edward Beckett, Executor of the Beckett Estate

'Serious and scholarly ... The book is striking in its forensic treatment of the dialogue between a life in reading and a life in writing.' The Times Literary Supplement

'Hulle and Nixon's examination of the 700 books in Beckett's library at his death is diligent and methodical ... The authors display great ingenuity at dating Beckett's markers, and they ably note references to the reading in Beckett's work.' Choice

'Samuel Beckett's Library will primarily be of interest to Beckett scholars, since it opens up so many new intertextual leads for critical detective work. The book will become as important a reference work as James Knowlson's biography Damned to Fame or the recent editions of Beckett's letters. But it will also appeal to anyone with an interest in literary influence, marginalia and intellectual history, as well as more casual admirers of Beckett's work.' Andy Wimbush, Library and Information History

'... not just another book about Samuel Beckett (1906-1989): it is a fascinating contribution to the history of ideas and cross-cultural theory. ... undoubtedly impressive, rigorous, coherent, and innovative. Bibliophiles will love this book and the lay reader will find in it a wonderful invitation to reading ...' Yves Laberge, The European Legacy

Book Description

Samuel Beckett's Library critically examines the reading notes and marginalia contained in the books of Samuel Beckett's surviving library in Paris. Previously inaccessible to scholars, this is the first study to assess the importance of the marginalia, inscriptions, and other manuscript notes in the 750 volumes of the library.

About this edition

• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Publication date: 2013
• ISBN 10: 1107001269
• ISBN 13: 9781107001268
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 330