Product Description

Anthony Cronin has insight to, access to and connections with Beckett's world. Cast from the same mould as Beckett - he too is a word-drunk Irish intellectual - Cronin aims to portray Beckett as both a writer of incomparable gifts and a human being with flaws, dreams and anxieties.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #86916 in Books
• Published on: 1997-05-19
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 656 pages

Customer Reviews

thoughtful, measured presentatation of the man and his works
Anthony Cronin crafts a revealing biography from Beckett's life and works. A friend of Beckett, he never lapses into sycophancy or well meaning criticism. Cronin has the knack of transforming factual information into clear and insightful narrative. A lovely piece of writing which is by far the best of the three biographies I have read on Beckett

The life of one of the 20th century's greatest writers.
Anthony Cronin has delivered a thorughly readable, entertaining and exhaustive account of the life and career of possibly the greatest playwright of the twentieth century. Filled with fascinating anecdotes, plus helpful and informed opinions regarding the ambiguities of Beckett's work, this autobiography is ideal not just for those familiar with Beckett's plays and novels, but also for those looking for an introduction to the man's often very difficult works. A marvellous read - long but totally absorbing.

This is a valiant attempt to understand the man and the art
This is a valiant attempt to understand the man and the artist. The slow and unconventional evolution of Beckett's art is well described. This biography is, I feel, honest [in as much as any biography can be such] and does not mythologize. Sad that in Beckett's last days he appeared to be consumed with remorse.

James Mulligan