Complete Poems [Hardcover]

Samuel Beckett (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0714541869 | ISBN-13: 978-0714541860 | Publication Date: July 1991 | Edition: First Edition

This is the most complete collection of Samuel Beckett's poetry yet to appear, containing much previously uncollected work - both in English and in French. This is the most complete collection of Samuel Beckett's poetry yet to appear, containing much previously uncollected work - both in English and in French. As well as late work written after 1978 - when the last volume was published - there is also a section of early poems, probably all written before 1930 - when the author was a young man. This volume illustrates the many stages in the development of Beckett's style - from his modernist early work - thick with allusions and references from his readings and studies - to the simpler and very moving post-war poems - many of which have become much loved and quoted, and many set as songs by numerous composers. The Beckettian preocupations, with their inherent protest at the tragedy of the human condition, are all present here, as is the author's humour and his attitudes to love, friendship, loss and tragedy. Some of the most lyrical poems take the form of beautiful philosophical musings. Beckett wrote poems both in English and in French. Both are included here, together with his own translations when he made them. There are English versions of famous poems by major twentieth century French poets - including Rimbaud and Eluard - together with the original texts. The 'Mirlitonnades' or 'Bird Calls' - short, aphoristic and very pointed - have been extended since the last collection.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Born in 1906 in Foxrock, a suburb of Dublin, Samuel Beckett lived most of his life in Paris, where he died in 1989. Winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1969, he is now accepted as a major literary figure of the twentieth century. His novels, plays and other writings have changed the possibilities of language in both English and in French, and given the world a radically new vision of human destiny.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 226 pages
• Publisher: John Calder Pub Ltd; First Edition edition (July 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0714541869
• ISBN-13: 978-0714541860
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.4 ounces
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,891,757 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Samuel Beckett was born in Dublin in 1906. He was educated at Portora Royal School and Trinity College, Dublin, where he graduated in 1927. His made his poetry debut in 1930 with Whoroscope and followed it with essays and two novels before World War Two. He wrote one of his most famous plays, Waiting for Godot, in 1949 but it wasn't published in English until 1954. Waiting for Godot brought Beckett international fame and firmly established him as a leading figure in the Theatre of the Absurd. He received the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1969. Beckett continued to write prolifically for radio, TV and the theatre until his death in 1989.