Beckett in 90 Minutes

By: Paul Strathern

Narrated by: Simon Vance

Samuel Beckett's work evokes passionate responses: readers and playgoers either revere it or consider it a load of pretentious nonsense. But his philosophy of pessimism will always find a new generation of young readers, for it bursts the rainbow soap bubbles of illusion, leaving us blinking with stinging eyes at unremitting reality. Beckett's defeatism was no soft choice: he had iron in his soul and the wry humor of those who withstand all misfortune, who never admit final defeat.

Beckett in 90 Minutes offers a concise, expert account of Beckett's life and ideas and explains their influence on literature and on man's struggle to understand his place in the world. The book also includes a list of Beckett's chief works, a chronology of his life and times, and recommended reading for those who wish to delve deeper.

©2005 Paul Strathern (P)2009 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

"A new-millenium version of Cliffs Notes...Breezy, chatty, and to the point." (ForeWord)
"The blend of biographical background and literary criticism....makes each an easily-digested introduction." (Bookwatch)
"It furnishes a quick way for general readers to familiarize themselves with writers they wish to read or re-read." (Tennessean)

Perfectly captures His Life, Work, and Philosophy

I can’t say enough about how well this book and Simon Vance’s narration captures the essence of this Irish Genius. Waiting for Godot has been a touchstone of my Life for more than Fifty Years. Five Stars.

Well done invaluableB

I came across Beckett’s, Endgame as a teenager. It didn’t make any sense to me at all. And I was fascinated. I started reading other works by Beckett with the same results, no idea what was going on but I was drawn in as a want to be writer, trying to understand how literature worked. Beckett.
led me to other French writers of that time, iAll of it was exotic and mysterious. it would’ve been so much easier to work through Beckett’s works then f I’d had this short introduction. And now, after not having read Beckett for 50 some yearsI’m inclined to go back and reread some of the works that left me baffled and excited when I was young. Maybe I’ll even understand it somewhat.