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Murphy

By Samuel Beckett
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Check link for latest rating. ( 6,356 ratings, 558 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Murphy by Samuel Beckett delves into the life of the title character, an Irishman in London, who is seeking a sense of purpose amidst the mundane chaos. As he navigates between existential thoughts and his relationship with a woman named Celia, Murphy is drawn to the unique world of a mental institution where he finds both a refuge and a challenge. Through a mix of dark humour and philosophical inquiry, the novel explores themes of freedom, consciousness, and the human condition.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this book if you're drawn to existential themes, dark humour, and explorations of the human condition. The story follows an unconventional protagonist in his surreal search for meaning, filled with wit and philosophical insights. Perfect for those who appreciate intricate character studies and a rich, introspective narrative style.

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Murphy

Samuel Beckett's first novel.

Murphy by Samuel Beckett - for the first time in Faber editions, a newly edited and corrected text of this classic novel.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Murphy, Samuel Beckett's first novel, was published in 1938. Its work-shy eponymous hero, adrift in London, realises that desire can never be satisfied and withdraws from life, in search of stupor. Murphy's lovestruck fiancée Celia tries with tragic pathos to draw him back, but her attempts are doomed to failure. Murphy's friends and familiars are simulacra of Murphy, fragmented and incomplete.

But Beckett's achievement lies in the brilliantly original language used to communicate this vision of isolation and misunderstanding. The combination of particularity and absurdity gives Murphy's world its painful definition, but the sheer comic energy of Beckett's prose releases characters and readers alike into exuberance.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Murphy by Samuel Beckett is praised for its dark humour and philosophical depth, exploring themes of existentialism and the struggle for identity. The narrative follows Murphy's chaotic journey through life and his search for freedom in a disjointed world. Critics often highlight Beckett's innovative use of language and the novel's intricate structure, which contribute to its enduring appeal in the realm of modernist literature.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780571244584

Publisher: Faber & Faber

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 21 May 2009

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Faber & Faber

Edition: Main

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 15.0mm

Width: 130.0mm

Height: 195.0mm

Weight: 210g

Pages: 224

Collections

Fiction General Fiction Literary Fiction Samuel Beckett

About the Author

Samuel Beckett was born in Dublin in 1906. He was educated at Portora Royal School and Trinity College, Dublin, where he graduated in 1927. His made his poetry debut in 1930 with Whoroscope and followed it with essays and two novels before World War Two. He wrote one of his most famous plays, Waiting for Godot, in 1949 but it wasn't published in English until 1954. Waiting for Godot brought Beckett international fame and firmly established him as a leading figure in the Theatre of the Absurd. He received the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1961. Beckett continued to write prolifically for radio, TV and the theatre until his death in 1989.

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