An effective work of biography, authorized by Beckett himself. Revealing and well-rounded, breaking through the myth of Beckett as a dour and uncommunicative minimalist, and revealing the humanity and humor in his work. Some of the exhaustive treatments of later stage productions of the plays drag in places, still, this is the definitive biographical work on Beckett.

A Thorough, Passionate, and Scholarly Work: If the scale permitted, I would give Knowlson's biography of Samuel Beckett 4 1/2 stars. It is an impressively thorough, passionate, and scholarly work by an ardent admirer. Knowlson's ardor for Beckett, the man no less than the work, is everywhere evident as a predominant strength and an odd occasional weakness. I could not help feeling, every now and then, that it pained Knowlson greatly to have to write anything negative about Beckett. As a biography, it is less emotionally detached than I usually like, but only slightly. It was a compelling read, all 618 pages, which is saying alot.