Author(s): Samuel Beckett; Richard Seaver (ed.)

Fiction | Tim's picks

Winner of the Nobel Prize for literature and acknowledged as one of the greatest writers of our time, Samuel Beckett has had a profound impact upon the literary landscape of the twentieth century. In this one-volume collection of his fiction, drama, poetry, and critical writings, we get an unsurpassed look at his work. Included, among others, are:

- The complete plays Waiting for Godot, Krapp's Last Tape, Cascando, Eh Joe, Not I, and That Time
- Selections from his novels Murphy, Watt, Mercier and Camier, Molloy, and The Unnamable
- The shorter works "Dante and the Lobster," "The Expelled," Imagination Dead Imagine, and Lessness
- A selection of Beckett's poetry and critical writings

With an indispensable introduction by editor and Beckett intimate Richard Seaver, and featuring a useful select bibliography, I Can't Go On, I'll Go On is indeed an invaluable introduction to a writer who has changed the face of modern literature.

FULLERS REVIEW — TIM

Samuel Beckett is my favourite writer. I realise this marks me as in need of a cup of tea and a good lie down, but there it is. For stories and drama about nothing he is unsurpassed. And, as a way into his writing, this generous volume is an excellent introduction, selected and introduced by Beckett’s early champion, Richard Seaver. The achievement of I Can’t Go On, I’ll Go On is to give a wide sampling of poems and stories and novels and plays, including the whole of some things along with selections from others, so that you can get a genuine sense for Beckett without getting bogged down. Added to this is Seaver’s thrilling introduction, which tells the story of discovering (and trying to publish) the then-unknown Beckett in post-war Paris. Marvellous, all in all.