Product Description

Samuel Beckett, one of the towering figures of twentieth-century literature, was also famously reclusive. In these intimate interviews conducted by his biographer, James Knowlson, Beckett and his family, friends and contemporaries reveal more of the writer's human side than ever before. Beckett himself talks of his early youth, his friendship with James Joyce and his Resistance work in Paris during the Second World War. Some of his closest friends remember him both as a schoolboy and struggling young writer, while his students at Trinity College, Dublin give their opinions of him as a lecturer. Esteemed actors, writers and directors, including Billie Whitelaw, Edward Albee and J. M. Coetzee, remember Beckett at the time of his international success. The result is a vivid collection of first-hand experiences, a tribute to a remarkable novelist, poet and dramatist.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #458790 in Books
• Published on: 2007-03-19
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 336 pages

Review
'A volume that admirers will seize on hungrily for its details, and for the many photographs Refreshing and enlightening. I closed the book eager to go back to the masterworks' Kevin Jackson, Sunday Times 'These humanising glimpses are a treat for the Beckett fan The Knowlsons have assembled, in this scholarly but charming book, a mosaic of epiphanies while going some way to demystify the great Unknowable' Independent 'Beckett is surpassingly the modern author whose life rewards such devotion' Evening Standard 'Magnificently enriched by a series of interviews spread over a decade between Professor James Knowlson and Beckett' Glasgow Herald

Kevin Jackson, Sunday Times
`A volume that admirers will seize on hungrily for its details ...
Refreshing and enlightening. I closed the book eager to go back to the
masterworks'

Evening Standard
`Beckett is surpassingly the modern author whose life rewards such
devotion'

Customer Reviews

You'll want to read more about Beckett after this book
I bought this book at Dublin airport out of curiosity. I read "Beckett remembering, remembering Beckett" in less than two weeks - English is not my mother tongue. What is fascinating about the book is both Beckett's own life and Knowlson writing style: clear, uncomplicated and rich in detail. Knowlson writing style has this particular effect on the reader: it simply makes you want to devour the book. I bought "Damned to Fame" from Amazon (incredibly cheaper compared to high street prices) straight after. "Damned to Fame" is a treasure. Knowlson knew Beckett for 19 years and he is the only person who Beckett authorised to write his biography. It goes into so much detail and yet it keeps the uncomplicated style despite the scholastic nature of the author.

I strongly recommend both books to anyone feeling slightly curious about Beckett. You won't be dissapointed. Beckett was a fascinating human being, very unique and inspirational. And his singular work a priceless contribution to the twentieth century literature. Both books are a great insight into his time, work and life. A true pleasure for literature lovers in a time of cheap best-sellers.