I find Beckett very comforting.

Even though this volume contains some of his most difficult work to follow, and there were numerous times when I was simply following along without having much of a sense of what it was supposed to mean or do.

Nevertheless, I still found it reassuring in a certain way.

However, I didn't have the same warm connection with it as I did with the novels of the Trilogy.

Perhaps it's because the complexity of Beckett's work requires a deeper level of understanding and analysis.

But despite that, there's something about his writing that draws me in and makes me feel at ease.

Maybe it's the way he explores the human condition and the absurdity of life.

Or perhaps it's the simplicity of his language, even though the ideas he presents are often profound and challenging.

In any case, I'm glad to have discovered Beckett's work and look forward to exploring more of it in the future.

Madness!

It is a word that evokes a sense of chaos, frenzy, and lack of control. Madness can take many forms, from the wild and unrestrained behavior of a person in the grip of a mental illness to the irrational and狂热 actions of a mob. It can be a source of both fear and fascination, as we watch in awe and horror as those around us lose their grip on reality. Madness can also be a creative force, inspiring artists, writers, and musicians to produce works that are both beautiful and disturbing. In some cases, madness can even lead to great discoveries and breakthroughs, as the mind is pushed to its limits and forced to see the world in a new and different way. Whether we view it as a curse or a blessing, madness is an inescapable part of the human experience, and one that we will continue to grapple with for as long as we exist.

Reading Beckett, you enter a special space, as if diving into water after a long time on land. Far from all the things in this collection are capable of surprising, but all of them are in some way a nourishing, attractive environment for me.

His works have a unique charm that draws you in and makes you explore the depths of his thoughts. The language he uses is simple yet profound, often leaving you with a sense of ambiguity and mystery. Each sentence seems to hold a hidden meaning that you need to discover on your own.

As you read, you may find yourself lost in a world of strange characters and absurd situations. But beneath the surface, there is a profound exploration of the human condition, of our fears, hopes, and dreams. Beckett forces us to confront the harsh realities of life and to question our own existence.

Overall, reading Beckett is an experience like no other. It challenges you, makes you think, and leaves a lasting impression on your mind.

40's to mid-60's Beckett is the Beckett for me. During this period, his works展现出 a unique charm and depth. The characters and stories he created were complex and engaging, allowing me to truly immerse myself in his world. However, after that, it seems that his works became a bit too abstract for my taste. While I appreciate the creativity and innovation in abstract art and literature, I find it difficult to regularly enjoy works that are too abstract. I prefer something that has a bit more concrete meaning and structure. Nevertheless, I still respect Beckett's contributions to the literary world and continue to explore his works from different perspectives.

You know that old writing cliché that goes, "I prefer to have written than to write." It doesn't go exactly like that, but I'm paraphrasing. Anyway, Beckett can be likened to that.

"I prefer to have read Beckett than to read Beckett." I mean, don't get me wrong, I think he's a genius, especially his plays. But the prose? Uhm, mixed feelings, very mixed feelings. This book is a Sisyphean feat for the most part.

Some stories you get lost halfway through the page, others you find yourself breathing weird and asking yourself what the bloody hell you're doing. But it's like mining for diamonds. You have to go through a lot of those before you can find the really remarkable gems. Stories like FIRST LOVE, ENOUGH, FIZZLES, HEARD IN THE DARK, ONE EVENING.

The nonfiction pieces, though, are quite the marvel. They offer a different perspective on Beckett's mind and his creative process. It's as if we get a peek behind the curtain and see the man who crafted these complex and often baffling works.

Overall, reading Beckett is a challenging but rewarding experience. It forces you to think, to question, and to expand your literary horizons. And while it may not always be easy, the moments of brilliance make it all worthwhile.

A wide range of stories

were presented, with some being more traditional in their narrative form. These traditional stories often spoke about those who were tossed out and rejected by society, highlighting their plights and struggles. On the other hand, there were also stories that were quite abstract, challenging the reader's perception and understanding.

Some of the works I encountered were just very hard to follow. The complex and convoluted plots, along with the unique writing style, made it difficult for me to fully grasp the intended meaning. However, despite the challenges, I do appreciate the author's originality and writing style. His ability to think outside the box and create such diverse and interesting stories is truly remarkable.

It is this combination of tradition and innovation that makes his work stand out and keeps readers engaged.

Samuel Beckett is, without a doubt, one of my all-time favorite modern artists.

His use of language, consciousness, and existentialist themes is truly remarkable, on par with that of James Joyce and still far ahead of his time.

He is an absurdist, a dramatist, and a poet of the nonsensical and fragmented.

Some of his stories are not traditional narratives in the conventional sense but rather fragments of experience and conscious perception that push the boundaries of language to the extreme, expressing emotions such as desperation, elation, and physical movement.

While some of these stories can be quite challenging to understand, others are richly embedded with psychoanalytic, humorous, archetypal, alienation, and sexual content.

Beckett's works are definitely a difficult read, but they are well worth the time and effort, as they offer profound insights into the human condition and the nature of existence.

Each reading reveals new layers of meaning and invites further exploration, making them a truly rewarding literary experience.

8/10

This rating indicates that the content is not straightforward to explain. It is not an easy read, which might pose some challenges to the average reader. However, despite its complexity, it is without a doubt a MUST read. The ideas and concepts presented within are of such significance and value that they cannot be overlooked. It may require a certain level of concentration and effort to fully understand, but the rewards are well worth it. By delving into this material, readers will gain a deeper perspective and a more comprehensive understanding of the subject matter. It is a piece of work that has the potential to expand one's knowledge and broaden one's horizons. So, although it may be difficult at times, don't shy away from it. Take on the challenge and discover the wealth of information and insights that await.

It is quite funny to observe the never-ending spiral of common names and objects that pervade these stories at present, during my second reading, after having delved into so much other Beckett.

These stories, if anything, vividly demonstrate the progress of Beckett as he revises himself right down to the very essence. He transitions from creating characters who strive to extricate themselves from existence to writing that aims to achieve the same objective.

He even unyokes grammar itself, reducing its expression to the most minimal of attributes in a futile attempt to detach itself from the world and thereby discover that which it cannot do without.

This evolution in Beckett's work is both fascinating and thought-provoking, inviting readers to explore the depths of his literary journey and the profound themes he undertakes to convey.

The concept of being ambivalent is a complex and often misunderstood one. It refers to having mixed or contradictory feelings about something or someone. This can lead to a state of indecision and confusion, as the individual struggles to reconcile their opposing emotions.

Apropos of this, it is important to recognize that ambivalence is a natural and normal part of the human experience. We all have moments when we are unsure of our feelings or when we find ourselves pulled in different directions. It is how we handle these moments that determines our ability to move forward and make decisions.

Rather than trying to suppress or ignore our ambivalence, we should embrace it and use it as an opportunity for self-reflection. By exploring our feelings and understanding the reasons behind them, we can gain a deeper insight into ourselves and our values. This, in turn, can help us to make more informed and confident decisions that are in line with our true selves.

In conclusion, being ambivalent is not a weakness or a flaw, but rather a sign of a complex and nuanced emotional life. By approaching it with an open mind and a willingness to explore our feelings, we can turn it into a powerful tool for personal growth and development.

**Title: The Importance of Reading**

Reading is an essential activity that offers numerous benefits. It allows us to expand our knowledge, improve our vocabulary, and enhance our cognitive abilities. When we read, we are exposed to different ideas, cultures, and perspectives, which broadens our understanding of the world.

Moreover, reading can be a great source of entertainment. It can transport us to different places and times, and allow us to experience the lives of different characters. Whether it's a thrilling mystery, a heartwarming romance, or a thought-provoking non-fiction book, there is something for everyone to enjoy.

In conclusion, reading is a valuable activity that should be incorporated into our daily lives. It not only enriches our minds but also provides us with a means of relaxation and entertainment. So, pick up a book today and start exploring the wonderful world of literature.

For his writing, which - in new forms for the novel and drama - in the destitution of modern man acquires its elevation.

Every year, every two years, or perhaps every five years, it happens that you read something so unique and impressive that it leaves you with your mouth open, without words to measure up to the work you "read" and you gradually understand how crucial and valuable it was. I felt something like this when reading the few short stories and most of the prose of Beckett, which all together are condensed into approximately three hundred pages.

However, the text is so tortuous, yet so captivating, so dark, yet so rejuvenating, almost excessive. When reading these texts, you feel as if you are in a dark building, under a huge dome, without any light, without any support, without any knowledge and in a state of being and non-being, of light and darkness. The author does not help you at all, there is no plot, there is no structure and it's as if you are constantly in a threshold of existence and non-existence. You read the same line over and over again, take a break for a few days, and start again. Repetitions, contradictions, scorpion words that are connected in new ways - the text seems to be as inaccessible as possible and yet it may just be your crazy idea, but you learn and discover so many new things. I thought many times that if the characters of Kafka wrote prose, they would look like these orphaned voices and how the humanity of Beckett has ended up in such strange forms as those depicted in the paintings of Francis Bacon. However, in contrast to Kafka, where I felt I was constantly floundering, here there is finally a cathartic elevation, there is compassion, hope and faith in human powers, however humble and useless they may be. With Beckett, you learn to read again through a text that does not accept categorizations. Beckett is the theater, is the philosophy and is the poetry.

One of my favorite excerpts:

He gone, I within him, will exhaust himself until death, because of me, I will live with him, I will live his death, the end of his life and then his death, step by step, now, how he will manage it, impossible to know, I will know, step by step, it is that he will die, I will not die, nothing will remain of him but bones, I will be within, it cannot be otherwise, earth scattered with rubble, he gone through the wall, now no other postures, he will never say I again, because of me, he will not speak to anyone, no one will speak to him, he will not speak to himself, nothing has remained in his head, I will give him whatever he needs, whatever he needs to finish, to no longer say I, to no longer open his mouth, confusion of memory and mourning, of loved ones and helpless youth, snatching the rag from the middle, it is crumpled over the fields, for a life of my own I tried, in vain, always only his, unworthy of mention, because of me, he said that it was not life, it was, still is, the same, I am still within, the same, I will put faces on his head, names, places, I will mix them all together, all that he needs to finish, phantoms for him to flee and pursue, he will mix up his mother with whores, his father with a road worker named Balfe, I will give him a wretched old man, a wretched old man, so that he can love again, earth scattered with rubble, small panicky steps.