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In the wake of the Second World War, Samuel Beckett wrote some of the most significant literary works of the 20th century. This is the first full-length historical study to examine the far-reaching impact of the war on Beckett's creative and intellectual sensibilities.
Drawing on a substantial body of archival material, including letters, manuscripts, diaries and interviews, as well as a wealth of historical sources, this book explores Beckett's writing in a range of political contexts, from the racist dogma of Nazism and aggressive traditionalism of the Vichy regime to Irish neutrality censorship and the politics of recovery in the French Fourth Republic. Along the way,
Samuel Beckett and the Second World War casts new light on Beckett's political commitments and his concepts of history as they were formed during Europe's darkest hour.
List of contents
Series Editor Preface
Introduction
Chapter One – Beckett and the Second World War
Chapter Two – Beckett, War and the Everyday
Chapter Three – Revolution and Revulsion: Beckett and Vichy France
Chapter Four – Beckett and Irish Neutrality
Chapter Five – The Language of Recovery: Beckett and France after the Liberation
Chapter Six – Beckett and War Writing
Epilogue
Bibliography
Index
About the author
William Davies is a research fellow at the University of Reading. With Helen Bailey, he is the editor of Beckett and Politics (2020). He is an English editor of LONGITUDINES magazine.
Summary
In the wake of the Second World War, Samuel Beckett wrote some of the most significant literary works of the 20th century. This is the first full-length historical study to examine the far-reaching impact of the war on Beckett’s creative and intellectual sensibilities.
Drawing on a substantial body of archival material, including letters, manuscripts, diaries and interviews, as well as a wealth of historical sources, this book explores Beckett’s writing in a range of political contexts, from the racist dogma of Nazism and aggressive traditionalism of the Vichy regime to Irish neutrality censorship and the politics of recovery in the French Fourth Republic. Along the way, Samuel Beckett and the Second World War casts new light on Beckett’s political commitments and his concepts of history as they were formed during Europe’s darkest hour.
Foreword
An in-depth historical study of Samuel Beckett's experiences during World War II and the ways in which they shaped his remarkable literary work.
Additional text
Elegantly synthesizes a rich history of Vichy France.
