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.
- Presents Beckett's letters, many for the first time, gathered from archival and private collections worldwide, with detailed background information
- This volume comprises the composition and first performance of Waiting for Godot
- Includes chronologies, biographies of Beckett's correspondents and information about the current location of the letters
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Reviews & endorsements
'[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
'Beckett lovers … will give thanks for the concerted scholarship of this perfectly pitched quartet of editor-translator-chroniclers.' Independent on Sunday
'The second volume of what looks set to be a major achievement of 21st century publishing, an astonishing work of scholarship, appraisal and documentation … The erudite and indefatigable editors have put together an outstanding and illuminating selection from Beckett's correspondence with friends, acquaintances, publishers, translators, all kinds of business associates - all having a bearing, in some sense or other, on the imperishable work.' The Independent
'Anybody unfamiliar with the life of writings of Beckett would be well advised to go for a biography of the man first. But for anyone who wishes to go beyond that stage, this generous volume will prove a very full and rewarding read.' The Bookbag
'These letters … remind us how indomitable and irresistible [Beckett] was.' The Spectator
'Letter by letter, Beckett's genius is revealed … a marvellous book.' The Scotsman
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Product details
- Date Published: September 2011
- format: Hardback
- isbn: 9780521867948
- length: 886 pages
- dimensions: 223 x 149 x 56 mm
- weight: 1.3kg
- contains: 20 b/w illus.
- availability: In stock
Table of Contents
General introduction
French translator's preface George Craig
Editorial procedures
Acknowledgments
Permissions
Abbreviations
Introduction to Volume 2 Dan Gunn
Letters, 1941–1956
Profiles
Bibliography
Index.
Author
Samuel Beckett
George Craig, Editor and French Translator, is an Honorary Research Fellow at the University of Sussex.
Editors
George Craig, University of Sussex
Martha Dow Fehsenfeld, Founding Editor, was authorized by Samuel Beckett to edit his correspondence in 1985.
Martha Dow Fehsenfeld, Emory University, Atlanta
Dan Gunn, Editor, is Professor of Comparative Literature and English at The American University of Paris.
Dan Gunn, The American University of Paris, France
Lois More Overbeck, Managing Editor, is a Research Associate of the Laney Graduate School, Emory University.
Lois More Overbeck, Emory University, Atlanta