Status
Available
Call number
Genres
Collection
Publication
Penguin Books (1999), Paperback, 96 pages
Description
Written in 1946, in what he later called 'a frenzy of writing', these four novellas - First Love, The Calmative, The Endand The Expelled- are among the first substantial works resulting from Beckett's decision to use French as his language of literary composition. Richly humorous, they offer a fascinating insight into preoccupations which remained constant throughout the work of a writer who transformed the art of the novel and contemporary theatre. The aim of this new edition is to provide, as far as possible, the most accurate texts of the novellas. 'He is the most courageous remorseless writer going. He brings forth a body of beauty...' Harold Pinter
User reviews
LibraryThing member edwinbcn
This volume contains four novellas by Samuel Beckett: "The End", "The Expelled", "The Calmative" and "First Love". In 1977 they were first published by Penguin Books as Four Novellas. Then, in from 1980, Penguin Books published these four novellas as The Expelled, and Other Novellas. This edition,
Around 2010, Penguin Books also published a series of Penguin Mini. In that volume three novellas were published unde the title The expelled, the same novellas, only "The Calmative was left out". Besides, the mini-series came without introduction and notes.
I bought the mini edition in October 2012, and read it in 2017, unaware that I had already bought the Penguin Modern Classics edition, i.e. this edition, First love, and other novellas, in November 2011. I didn't like the three novellas when I read them in 2017, but decided to reread all of them while reading this edition.
However, I still do not like these novellas. For all the awe expressed in the introduction and the admiration others have for Beckett, I fail to appreciate these stories. I cannot grasp really what they are about or why they are special.
Show More
which came out in 2000 with a new introduction, written by Gerry Dukes now bears the title First love, and Other Novellas, but they are still the same, short, four novellas.Around 2010, Penguin Books also published a series of Penguin Mini. In that volume three novellas were published unde the title The expelled, the same novellas, only "The Calmative was left out". Besides, the mini-series came without introduction and notes.
I bought the mini edition in October 2012, and read it in 2017, unaware that I had already bought the Penguin Modern Classics edition, i.e. this edition, First love, and other novellas, in November 2011. I didn't like the three novellas when I read them in 2017, but decided to reread all of them while reading this edition.
However, I still do not like these novellas. For all the awe expressed in the introduction and the admiration others have for Beckett, I fail to appreciate these stories. I cannot grasp really what they are about or why they are special.
Show Less
Language
Original language
French
Physical description
96 p.; 7.8 inches
ISBN
0140180117 / 9780140180114
Local notes
4 novellas: First Love. The Expelled. The Calmative. The End