Vivian Mercier came from the same background as Beckett and his personal approach is combined with an original and skilled discussion of the paradoxes at the heart of BeckettâÂÂs writing â Ireland/the world, intellect/emotion, artist/philosopher.No other critic so lucidly understands the many facets of BecketâÂÂs erudition â his use of mathematics, debt to Racine, the influence of art and music. He also gives an irreverent study of BeckettâÂÂs portrayal of women. The wealth of learning in this book, along with its personal tone, brings a fresh appreciation of BeckettâÂÂs writing.
