Synopses & Reviews
In Beckett before Godot, John Pilling reevaluates the formative years of Beckett between the publication of his first work in 1929 and the composition late in 1946 of The Calmative, his last work before "the trilogy." Using a wealth of unpublished manuscripts and correspondence from around the world, Pilling offers for the first time a coherent critical narrative of Beckett's development during this long period of apprenticeship. Beckett before Godot modifies and enhances our understanding of one of this century's most influential authors.
Review
"...writes with authority on the early years of Beckett's literary activity. Recommended for collections serving students of modern literature at the upper-division undergraduate level and above." Choice
Description
Includes bibliographical references (p. 262-271) and index.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction; Part I. 1929 1932: 2. Dante ... Bruno ... Vico ... Joyce and Assumption: âthe prospect of self-extensionâ; 3. From a view to a kill: Proust and Le Concentrisme; 4. Dream of Fair to Middling Women: âa solution of continuityâ; Part II. 1932 1936: 5. More poems than precipitates: towards Echoâs Bones and beyond; 6. In the interval: More Pricks Than Kicks; 7. Beckett as bookman: the reviews; 8. Figure and ground: Murphy; Part III. 1937 1946: 9. Dissonance: 1937 1940; 10. Watt and Watt not; 11. Texts for something: âa universe becomes provisionalâ; 12. Mercier et Camier and the nouvelles: âthe vicissitudes of the roadâ; 13. Conclusion.