Samuel Beckett: Photographs [Paperback]

John Minihan (Photographer), Aidan Higgins (Introduction)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 17, 1996

Collected here is a series of photographs by the Irish photographer John Minihan that presents a view of Samuel Beckett that has long been missing.

The most remarkable thing about this collection of photographs of Beckett is that it exists at all, for Beckett was notoriously elusive throughout his life. When he was awarded the Novel Prize for Literature, journalists were unable to locate him for interviews and photographs; he did not even go to Stockholm to accept the prize. Minihan's photographs take a rare and intimate look i9nto the life of this intensely private man. Black-and-white photographs throughout

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

In a remarkable piece of photojournalism, John Minihan documents the private world of playwright-novelist Samuel Beckett (1906-1989), best known as the author of Waiting for Godot. The expatriate Dubliner is seen directing stage productions of his work, relaxing in a hotel room, chatting with friends in a London pub, and walking the streets of his adopted home, Paris. While the photographer's preface could have been more revealing, his pictures capture--and humanize--that most enigmatic of literary figures. The book provides an ideal complement to James Knowlson's recent biography of Beckett, Damned to Fame.

About the Author

Aidan Higgins has written short stories, novels, travel pieces, radio plays, and a large body of criticism. A consummate stylist, his writing is lush and complex. His books include Scenes from a Receding Past, Bornholm Night-Ferry, Balcony of Europe, and Langrishe,Go Down, which was adapted for television by Harold Pinter.

Product Details

• Paperback: 92 pages
• Publisher: George Braziller, Inc.; 1 edition (April 17, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0807614106
• ISBN-13: 978-0807614105
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 8.5 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,810,105 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wham, bam, thank you SAM!, April 7, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Samuel Beckett: Photographs (Paperback)

This books confirms--as if any of you were doubters--that in addition to his writings, Samuel B. was one of the coolest LOOKING human beings who has ever graced our environs.

From the beauty of his "eagle" haircut to the absolutely perfect crease in his trousers, this book captures it ALL. He hangs out, drinks coffee, has a smoke, similar to mortals you'n'me.

Best bet: look at the pictures in this book while listening to the old Columbia recording of Bert Lahr and E.G. Marshall doing "Waiting For . . .". I'll tell ya, like a Chesterfield, it satisfies!

5.0 out of 5 stars An exceptional intimate portrait of a very private man., November 3, 2006

By 

Andrew Ward "www.andrewwardphotos.com" (Los Angeles, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Samuel Beckett: Photographs (Paperback)

John Minihan's collection of photographs of the Irish playwright Samuel Beckett are truly amazing. The cover photograph of Beckett seated in a Paris cafe in 1985 is truly one of the great portraits of the 20th Century.