Three Novels: Molloy, Malone Dies, The Unnamable

My original copy wore out and had pages falling out It was my college copy from 1966. I have never stopped reading Becket. Took my kids to see GODOT in Dublin three years ago. This book is for true Beckett aficionados

There have been more great writers in English from tiny Ireland than anywhere else, and the gene has transplanted well, as anyone can see from American writing. Beckett didn't intend these books as a trilogy, but someone did, against his wishes, and THE UNNAMABLE, which belongs with ULYSSES and Flann O'Brien's THIRD POLICEMAN, is trapped with two lesser books. It is unique and hilarious, looking back at the narrator's unlikely self-deceived life and the aging process with grim accuracy. The mordant Celtic sense of humor takes over, leavening this heavy loaf into a remarkable soufflé. The most serious imaginable writer makes the unnerving process of living and dying tolerable and beautiful, bringing absurdity and love to bear in a way that lets the reader step away from his human experience to see what fools we mortals be. There's nothing remotely like it.

I haven't reread Samuel Beckett's famed Trilogy in its entirety since 1976, though I've certainly dipped into snippets many times over the ensuing decades. Recently I decided to have a go at the whole thing again, but I didn't want to bother with the small, clumsy Grove Paperback, or carry around three separate volumes. This Kindle edition turned out to be perfect. It's easy on the eyes, it's convenient, and it doesn't get in the way of the power of Beckett's words. How can I tell you what happens in these books, when experts argue over exactly who is who and what's what. All I know is, just as all those years before, I couldn't put it down. I went on and on until I read those famous words, "I can't go on, I'll go on." I guess we all will. Go on. Despite everything

If you are one of those readers like me who found the language and perspective of the protagonist so unique and original, then you would say as I do that this is one of the great works of the 20th century. My favorite Beckett. It continues where James Joyce left off in regards to where the use of words, as the manifestation of consciousness, can go. This is not for everyone, and probably it is not for most readers, but if you are one of the lucky few, than you will be rewarded. Try it and find out.

I had started to read this book in college. Then I got drafted into the infantry in 1969. I carried this book all through my combat tour and read it when I could, which was not too often because we were always patrolling in the armored cavalry. We didn't have many days off. Then, for my last 5 months in the service, I was able to read it off and on until I finished it. I was assigned to Ft. Hood, TX. There weren't many tasks I had to do there and I was able to slip them easily. So before I left each day, I read the book. Then, over the course of 50 years, I lost the book. A friend of mine from college reminded me of our late night sessions when we discussed the books of Samuel Beckett. In fact, he got his PHd by using his criticism as his thesis! I had forgotten how much I loved the 3 novels.

These three novels are the best things I have read all year. Beckett is neglected to the detriment of Western Civilization. These are at the top of my 'read it again' pile. Also, this edition sat nicely in my hand as I read. The heft, the boards, the paper, and even the little gold ribbon bookmark made it a pleasure to hold and read. It balanced the bourbon that I held in my other hand.

The Nobel Prize committee in 1969 argued against awarding Beckett, but ultimately did so after realizing his bleak assessment of humankind was rooted in compassion—not in nihilism.

This trilogy of novels is Beckett's best work, humorous and it manages to avoid the tedium and boredom which so often affects his smaller prose pieces. I am still reading them and am lauging at the most unilkely of places. If you want a slow and stylistically interesting read these novels are for you. If not forget them and stick to, well, Sci Fi of which i am a lover.

I agree with the consensus on here that these are quite a departure from traditional novels. They are not however, particularly difficult to read or understand, and they are very entertaining, even laugh out loud funny at times.The style of writing is in one continuous prose; the punctuation is minimal, but this actually makes the book much easier and faster to read. Thoughts form more naturally for the reader, as was the intention with the stream of consciousness style.The price was quite high, but you're getting a lot of material for your money, basically theee complete novels.

great everything as ordered

You are either a believer or not where Beckett is concerned. Superb.

Customer service was excellent! And book itself is good too, of course!

Thank you !