'Watt' Samuel Beckett

[sirinrob]

This was the last novel that Beckett wrote in English. It was written in Roussillion during World War Two, while he was in hiding from the Gestapo. The novel was first published in 1953.

 

The principal character is Watt, who becomes a servant in Mr Knott's house. The regime in the house is irrational, which Watt finds perplexing. His duties, though rational, always have an irrational element which Watt then rationalises to the point of absurdity. This obsession with rationalisation, leads to Watt's mental breakdown.

 

By detailing Watt's logic as he rationalises events, Beckett is making a comic attack on philosophers such as Descartes, Hegel and Sartre. Much of the humour is deadpan. Beckett's main point is that live life, and try to find a hidden meaning.

 

I found this enjoyable and amusing, despite the challenge the style poses. A reread is in order at some point.