Circles and Straight Lines

"Not to want to say, not to know what you want to say, not to be able to say what you think you want to say, and never to stop saying, or hardly ever, that is the thing to keep in mind, even in the heat of composition."

I'm ever so confounded by Beckett. Eluded even. His plays remain impenetrable for the time being, and from among the celebrated novels, "Malone Dies" (1951) and "The Unnamable" (1953), are closed books to me. But "Molloy" (1951) is something different altogether. It's easier to appreciate, to get into, and ultimately, enjoy the ride for as long as it goes on. It is profound, full of actual wisdom instead of mere philosophizing for the narrative's sake, and what might make it difficult is also its greatest strength: its otherworldly slumbering from nowhere to anywhere, and/or vice versa. In short, it draws attention to the act of stopping by coming to a halt itself. What it shares with Joyce is its method of existing in the moment, not before nor after, but in the very moment it is read, as if reading it somehow conjured the words onto the page.

Much of the praises in this review go to Sean Barrett, whose second nature it seems to be to interpret great authors and make it seem like he himself wrote the darn things. He's that good, and he's in his element with Beckett. Dermot Crowley, responsible for the other half, is great, as well, although it takes some to get used to the change.

Perhaps I had all I needed with "Molloy", since "Malone Dies" felt quite impossible to see through, but this one is a book I really like, yet I'm perfectly set on revisiting Beckett in the near future. I have a feeling that one day, all will be revealed, all that at this time doesn't quite seem to add up. In the meantime, I'll keep on standing on the seaside, sucking those stones. Just let me get my greatcoat.

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Beckett is Beckett is Beckett

Here's a writer, playwright, persona who when first encountered in youth and vitality represents a brick wall of intractability that is the gold-standard for cool. Later life and experience, the erosion of disappointments, missed opportunities and passed chances brings Beckett back into play with the mask finally taken off. And it is wonderful, funny and life affirming to know that this little Irish guy with the furrowed face has been there before you and seen it all and written it all - yet still doesn't have any of the answers you are looking for. Mal-alloy a bad mix - but nothing bad about this one. We are lucky to have Beckett's work on stage, on screen on download - it never fails to reach out and hold you with its power, simplicity and truth.

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Fine performance of an extraordinary work.

This book is the first part of the trilogy that established Beckett's reputation as a novelist, just as 'Waiting For Godot' established him as one of the leading playwrights of the last century. Like most of Beckett's mature work, it's not for the faint-hearted. But Sean Barrett and Dermot Crowley do an excellent job of bringing Molloy and Moran to life in the two halves of the narrative, capturing the pathos but also the caustic wit of the text. If you like Beckett, the chances are you'll thoroughly enjoy their performances.

Hard Going, But Worth It

What made the experience of listening to Molloy the most enjoyable?

I feel beckett's work lends itself more to being heard with the ears than being read with the eyes. Both Narrators were incredibly expressive, which must have been difficult, since Beckett doesn't give much to work with by way of characterising. So much is left to the listeners interpretation.

Who was your favorite character and why?

That this question is here shows that this little review sheet was not made especially for this book. However without spoiling anything I will say Moran from the second half of the book. It's a much more difficult part to read, and the story becomes rather interesting at that point.

Which scene did you most enjoy?

the part of the book where molloy agonises over the problem of too many 'sucking stones'. There's beckett for you right there. massive amounts of time spent on a tedious problem that should be a non-event - ie the problem of having too many stones against too few pockets. It made me laugh and despair all at once.

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Honestly, I wouldn't. this wouldn't lend itself to film.

Any additional comments?

I will be honest. Samuel Beckett's work is dificult going, but these wonderful audio versions make it just that little bit easier. It's well worth the effort if you're willing to stick with it though for Beckett's commentary on the human condition.

Well done Naxos!

Would recommend reading it! instead of listening

Is there anything you would change about this book?

This is an extremely complex book and I found it hard to just listen. Would recommend reading it, instead of listening. As context becomes more accessible when one reads it.

Gripping with confusion and madness

This was my first Beckett novel. Truly spectacular with many deep and psychological themes. Would recommend this to anyone and everyone.

Both the narrators a great, causing this novel to be even more gripping

Great performance but the story became tedious.

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

Yes and no. I have seen one or two Beckett plays and thought I liked his language. However, it turns out that what works in a play doesn't necessarily work for the duration of a novel. Finding this out was time well spent but that was the only reason.

What could Samuel Beckett have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

He could have made it less of an amorphous blob and structured it. That is probably very hard when you are writing a stream of conscious novel and asking me what a man of Beckett's stature could have done better is like asking me what is wrong with Tiger Woods' swing. It's just that after the first 30 minutes this wasn't the book I wanted to listen to any more.

Which character – as performed by Sean Barrett and Dermot Crowley – was your favourite?

I have to confess that I only made it about 90 minutes in so was not aware that there were two narrators. However, the narrator that I heard was absolutely brilliant. It was on the strength of the sample 5 minutes that I bought the book. The narrator had a beautiful lilting Irish accent which I could have listened to all day.

Could you see Molloy being made into a movie or a TV series? Who would the stars be?

No. It would require an even greater chunk given over to interior monologue. This worked in Reginald Perrin but I think it would become too much with so little actually happening.

The stars? Maybe a younger Wilfred Bramble or David Kelly.