Of all the authors I have read, I find Beckett to be the most challenging by far.

In much the same way as reading textbooks and scholarly works (meaning books meant to teach first and foremost and not to entertain or take one's mind off the day or transport you to another world/time/perspective), reading Beckett forces you to pay full attention to every single word.

You can't skim Beckett, or if you do, then you are not reading Beckett at all. For by skipping or eliding or jumping ahead, you miss the point.

The words, the cadences, the repetitions, the minimalism, the circularity, the now-ness - all these elements are crucial in Beckett's works.

Beckett demands your attention and immersion, or maybe he just expects it. Why else read? Why words? Why?

I won't get into reviewing each specific text in any Beckett book as I find that defeatist, or maybe beyond my ken.

Often, it's merely words on the page given meaning by how the reader interprets/intuits/internalizes them.

I say Beckett is unequaled, unmatched, unsurpassed, but that is but one opinion.

Still, I say read him, often, and again.

His works have the power to make you think, to make you question, and to make you see the world in a different light.

So, pick up a Beckett book and embark on a journey of discovery. You won't regret it.

Discovering Beckett, especially his short stories, was an absolute revelation for me. It was as if I had uncovered a hidden treasure trove of literary genius.

Unlike those who claim to have had a life-changing encounter with Jesus at their lowest point, my discovery of Beckett was a random yet serendipitous event. I was attempting to enroll in a class at PSU taught by a rather eccentric alcoholic professor from Scotland. This professor, who seemed to be the embodiment of wisdom and intelligence, held Samuel Beckett in the highest regard.

His passion for Beckett's work was contagious, and it wasn't long before I was completely captivated by the beauty and complexity of Beckett's stories. I often found myself lost in the pages, marveling at the author's unique perspective and ability to convey profound emotions through his writing.

In fact, I was so inspired by Beckett that I seriously considered starting a religion based on his work. However, as much as I admired his fiction, I simply didn't have the energy or motivation to embark on such a grandiose endeavor. Nevertheless, Beckett's influence on my life and my understanding of literature will always be profound.

Most of these stories don't make any sense to me.

Some of it sounds cool, but it's just that - cool on the surface without much depth or real meaning that I can grasp.

I truly enjoyed the stories that I could anchor myself down in - those that I could make sense of in some way.

'The End' was really awesome. It had a certain charm and coherence that made it stand out among the others.

I'll probably flip through this book from time to time and try re-reading the stories, but I'm not sure I'll get much from it.

The problem is that a lot of the content seems rather disjointed and lacks a clear narrative arc or message.

That's why I'm rating this low. I just wasn't getting much from it.

Maybe with more time and a different perspective, I'll be able to appreciate it better, but for now, it's just not hitting the mark for me.

Have you ever desired to truly like a book, to deeply fall in love with it, to yearn for the experience of being moved, of being transported out of your ordinary life into some other era, some other location, some "other" world?

Well, then perhaps you should think twice before reading this book. Beckett was a Nobel Laureate, a name that has been spoken with such profound reverence, sometimes even whispered as if it were holy, and at other times shouted as if it were blasphemy. His "Waiting for Godot" was parodied by The Firesign Theater as "Waiting for the Electrician (or somebody like him)". Clearly, he was a significant figure.

I suspect that many people had no real understanding of what he was writing about. They recognized that there was talent present but had no idea how that talent was being utilized. And so, they simply decided, "My god, this guy must be brilliant." I've noticed that this phenomenon occurs quite frequently with "bad boy (or girl)" writers. People are left perplexed by the author's work and end up concluding that it must be brilliant.

I'm certain that it is. I struggled to make sense of the first few stories. I became mildly engaged in "First Love", which is supposed to be the best short story ever written (really? What were the people making this decision smoking? Can I get some?). But then, just two or three pages in, I lost interest. I tried reading some of his prose as poetry, and that helped for one or two pieces, but then it all came crashing down.

I suspect that at the beginning of his career, Beckett might have said to himself, "You think Joyce is obscure? You ain't seen nothing yet!" and then burst into a fit of maniacal laughter followed by a violent cough. In all of his stories, the characters are constantly to-ing and fro-ing, never really going anywhere, never doing anything of substance, and basically never changing. What, did he never hear of character growth or change as a necessary element for telling a story?

If nothing else, reading these award-winning authors (Nobel, Booker, and so on) is convincing me that there is a distinct gulf between "literature" and "genre". Genre can make use of literary techniques, but literature seems to have no real rules. And if you break those non-existent rules, you're considered brilliant.

Go figure.

PS) I did order Beckett's "Happy Days" from my library. You never know. I may come back and admit that I'm an idiot for not initially recognizing Beckett's brilliance.

Big swing and a miss for me. It was a moment of great anticipation as I took that big swing, hoping for a successful outcome. But alas, it was a miss. The disappointment washed over me like a wave. I had put in so much effort and had high hopes, but it just didn't work out. Maybe it was a miscalculation on my part, or perhaps the circumstances were not in my favor. Whatever the reason, it was a setback. However, I know that this is just one instance and I can't let it define me. I will dust myself off and try again. I will learn from this experience and come back stronger. After all, it's not about the misses, but how we respond to them that truly matters.

When it goes out, no matter what.

It is time to start again, in another place.

There is someone in it, constantly glaring.

But you will never see, never find.

It seems there is no end, and it doesn't matter.

This could be about a journey, a pursuit, or a situation that seems to have no resolution.

Despite the challenges and the unknown, the idea is to keep going, regardless of the glares and the lack of clear results.

Sometimes, in life, we face such circumstances where we have to persevere and believe that something better awaits us in the new beginning.

Even if we can't see the end or find the solution immediately, we should not give up.

We should keep moving forward, hoping that eventually, things will work out.

I was reading this book from the back to the front, and enjoying it heartily, at first. It was a rather unusual way of approaching a book, but it seemed to offer a fresh perspective. Apparently, Sam's age was his wisdom. As I delved deeper into the earlier works, I discovered that they were like gelatinous, punctuationless streams of consciousness. Or perhaps it was unconsciousness. The words seemed to flow together in a chaotic yet strangely captivating manner. It was as if Sam was in a trance-like state while writing these early pieces, allowing his thoughts and emotions to pour out onto the page without any restraint. Despite the lack of traditional punctuation and structure, there was a certain raw energy and authenticity to these works that made them truly unique.

Taking a Timeout from Beckett!

Samuel Beckett is a renowned playwright and novelist, but sometimes we need to take a break from his complex and often challenging works.

It's important to give our minds a rest and explore other literary landscapes.

There are countless other authors and genres out there waiting to be discovered.

Maybe it's a light-hearted romance novel that can transport us to a world of love and happiness.

Or perhaps a thrilling mystery that keeps us on the edge of our seats.

By taking a timeout from Beckett, we open ourselves up to new experiences and perspectives.

We can expand our literary horizons and find new sources of inspiration.

So, the next time you feel overwhelmed by Beckett's works, don't be afraid to step away and explore something different.

You might be surprised by what you discover.

"You can be such a silly fecking twit, Beckett." -- John Lennon

This statement by John Lennon shows his rather brash and direct way of expressing himself. It might have been said in a moment of frustration or perhaps in a lighthearted yet teasing manner. Beckett, whoever that may be, must have done something that really irked Lennon or perhaps something that he found utterly ridiculous. The use of the words "silly fecking twit" is quite strong and gives an indication of Lennon's passionate nature. He wasn't one to hold back his opinions, and this comment is a prime example of that. It makes one wonder what exactly Beckett did to deserve such a colorful description from the famous Beatle. Maybe it was a minor mistake that Lennon blew out of proportion, or maybe it was something more significant that truly tested their relationship.

Beckett is truly an amazing artist. His works often possess a unique charm and depth that can captivate the audience.

Here, there are indeed some fantastic stories that are like precious gems, shining with their own special luster. These stories have the power to transport the readers or viewers into a different world, filled with imagination and emotion.

However, it must be admitted that there are also others that were quite a chore to get through. They might be complex, or perhaps require a deeper understanding and more effort to fully appreciate.

But that doesn't mean they are not worthy. Maybe it's just a matter of time and the right state of mind. Later, when one is more prepared and open, these seemingly difficult works might reveal their true beauty and significance.

After all, art is diverse, and Beckett's works are no exception. We should approach them with an open heart and an inquisitive mind, ready to explore and discover the hidden treasures within.

Apparently, I find Beckett's prose to be unenjoyable. I am leaning towards the idea that people like him because they're supposed to or something. I really don't know. Maybe I'll come back to it later when I'm not reading it for a class. The titles such as "The Expelled", "The Calmative", "The End", "First Love", "Enough", and "Lessness" seem rather mysterious and perhaps hold some hidden meanings that I haven't yet grasped. But for now, as I read his works, I struggle to find the appeal. It could be that I'm not in the right mindset or that I need more time to understand his unique style. However, I'm not completely ruling out the possibility that I might discover something wonderful about his prose in the future.

The original article:
This is a short article. It needs to be rewritten and expanded.

Expanded article:
This is a rather short article indeed.

It seems to lack the necessary details and length to fully convey its intended message.

In order to make it more comprehensive and engaging, it requires a significant rewrite and expansion.

Perhaps we could add more examples, explanations, or relevant information to enhance its content.

By doing so, the article will be able to better capture the reader's attention and provide a more in-depth understanding of the subject matter.

Moreover, a well-written and expanded article is more likely to be shared and remembered, thus increasing its overall impact.

So, let's get started on this rewrite and expansion process to transform this short article into a more substantial and valuable piece of writing.