"Katherine Weiss'Ā Simply BeckettĀ is a beautifully written book, one brimming with fresh critical insights. What is obvious is her utter command of her material. As part of the Simply Charly series, the book is designed for university students and theatergoers, but, in fact, it also appeals to scholars long familiar with Beckett's work. Drawing on history, politics, trauma, and memory, Weiss leads the reader through Beckett's plays in clear, engaging prose. In sum, Weiss' book has the reach and depth to make it one of the more important coordinates in Beckett scholarship."
āMatthew RoudanĆ©, Regents' Professor of English and Theater, Georgia State University
Born in Dublin on Good Friday,Ā Samuel BeckettĀ (1906-1989) attended Trinity College and taught briefly in Belfast before moving to Paris, where he lived for most of his adult life. Deeply influenced by James Joyce, who became a close friend and mentor, he published poetry, novels, essays, and reviews before stunning Paris, and eventually the rest of the world, with his playĀ Waiting for GodotĀ in 1953. Famously described by one critic as "a play in which nothing happens, that yet keeps audiences glued to their seats,"Ā GodotĀ redefined dramatic structure and showcased Beckett's commitment to an art based on the ideas of "non-knowing" and powerlessness.
InĀ Simply Beckett, professorĀ Katherine WeissĀ provides a highly accessible and insightful introduction to the award-winning author and his paradoxical works, with a particular focus on Beckett's theater activities, both as a writer and director. Through discussion of the written texts, significant productions of the plays, and audience and critical reactions to Beckett's work, Weiss helps the reader understand the groundbreaking nature of his achievements and points the way toward a greater appreciation of his oeuvre.
Combining admirable erudition with reader-friendly style,Ā Simply BeckettĀ is a fascinating journey into the world of an author whose work went to the heart of the human condition.