Flaubert, Joyce and Beckett: The Stoic Comedians

by Hugh Kenner, Guy Davenport (Illustrator)

This enlightening study begins with an explanation of the effect of the printing press on books. The "book as book" has been removed from the oral tradition by such features as prefaces, footnotes, and indexes. Books have become voiceless in some sense - they are to be read silently, not recited aloud. How this mechanical change affected the possibilities of fiction is Kenner's subject.

Genres: Criticism, Literary Criticism, Essays, Nonfiction, Literature

107 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1975

Reviews

[Jonathan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Though his thesis has its flaws, it really does not matter a bit - wonderful writing

[Christopherseelie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very persuasive argument for a distinct tradition in modern letters tying Gustave Flaubert to James Joyce to Samuel Beckett. The last two might not be that hard to associate, but Kenner's application of mathematical precepts to their selection of language makes the connection more than biographical. In essence, Kenner thinks that these three authors (with respects to a few predecessors) write their books from a modern perception of "the book" instead of the usual assumption of "telling a story". They are comedians because they draw attention to the artifice of the book. They are stoical, because they approach composition from the wizened acceptance of the limitations before any fabricator writing after the Enlightenment.
This book is short, and shows that the best literary criticism is an art form all its own.

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating look at what makes Flaubert, Joyce, and Beckett funny. The opening line of the Beckett essay brought me to my knees with laughter, and his points about Joyce are spot-on.

[Tauan Tinti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quero escrever assim quando eu crescer.

[Lucy Yeomans · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was recommended and given to me by my high school English teacher. It was pretty dense, and the first book-length literary criticism that I have read. I have not read anything by Flaubert, Joyce, or Beckett, but I am impressed and intrigued by Kenner's insights into their works and the connections between them, and now I would like to read some of their works. I certainly learned more about the art form of the novel and its possibilities.

[Meghan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Hugh Kenner, he was very funny but also quite sharp...and a bit of a humbug about Irish literature, but also one of its best admirers.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

humorous and informative.

[Katarzyna Bartoszynska · Rating 4 out of 5]

The sections on Flaubert and Joyce are phenomenal, the one on Beckett is somewhat disappointing.