Guardian Newspaper 1000 Novels discussion

In July we will be reading Molloy by Samuel Beckett for our Comedy category - who's in?

Other than Godot, I've little experience of Bekett so definitely in.

I hadn't any experience with Beckett and didn't realise that it was stream of consciousness translated from French! I've waited until now because it's so short but it's taking a lot of concentration so it isn't the quick, fun read I was expecting....
Did anybody else read this? What did you think? Is it "funny"?

I didn't know what to make of it tbh
I think I enjoyed some bits, but feel like I need to read it again before going on to Malone Dies (but not just now!)

If I had not experienced working on Beckett plays many years ago I could imagine not getting through Molloy. I had to keep reminding myself that loving the experience in a pleasurable way was not Beckett's objective - and like a play, catch what you can and see what sticks - kind of like trying to remember a dream. Late in the book I started to sink into Beckett-world and connect some dots for myself. I could never say I enjoyed it, but I also can't stop thinking about it.

I started it but have abandoned it for now. I wasn’t finding it quick or fun, it seems to require a lot of concentrated effort, but I’ll probably give it another go sometime.

I’ve made it to part two! For those of you who put it to one side for now at this point both the narrative style and the perspective change. There are even paragraphs…..

I understand now about not been able to stop thinking about it. Snatches of the vivid imagery will pop into my mind like a dream I’ve partly remembered. There are also lots of humorous points that leap out like his system of communication with his mother. I also found Molloy’s description of “love” both comic and disgusting and the idea of the toothless cripple and the old woman getting amorous at the dump hit both these notes. How did everyone else feel about it? Did anyone else think that a lot of the humour depends on bodily functions? I guess it just goes to show that you can be a high brow literary reader and still appreciate a well timed fart.

Well done for sticking with it Fay, I think you’ve convinced me that I don’t want to continue with it (I was pretty sure of that anyway).

Wouldn’t consider myself highbrow, but I find that there are enough bodily functions in real life without wanting to find them in my reading too!

Haha Pamela! Stick to your guns - there was a lot of poop in the second half.
I don’t really know what to say.
I have no idea what I have just read, or why, or whether or not Beckett sat around laughing at everyone for lauding what in essence is discordant nonsense…..

Okay - having taken a break with a few novels with stuff actually happening, I'm ready to take another bash at Beckett. Let's hope that it keeps my interest more now I've cleansed my palette.