23 Comments
User's avatar
Kathleen Clare Waller's avatar

Loved this fun and informative discussion! I keep quoting Beckett lately, been feeling a little absurdism in my midst 😆 This looks GREAT and I’ve yet to read it. Spring break is coming, and I have a date with a bookstore. Thanks Jeffrey and Troy!

Expand full comment
Mr. Troy Ford's avatar

Million Shekel Idea: A B&B bookstore - book a room, all meals, jammies and couches and unlimited tea/coffee. 🤑😂 Thanks Kate!

Expand full comment
Kathleen Clare Waller's avatar

Sounds AMAZING. 💜

Expand full comment
Nathan Slake's avatar

Love this, thank you. Haven't read any Beckett, so this is a great introduction. Thanks Jeffrey.

This is great:

"With Beckett, stealing a knowing glance at his former master, we have a matter-of-fact description that fits the tone of the the aptly-named story. The parody is gentle and Beckett’s writing is not without its own winning cadences, but no souls are swooning here."

Expand full comment
Jeffrey Streeter's avatar

Thank you so much, Nathan. I truly appreciate your comments. As you know, one of the real joys of writing is when someone likes a sentence you've worked hard to put together.

Expand full comment
Tara Leigh Parks's avatar

I love Beckett. Did one of his plays once; instead of men, the director cast women. Painfully awful production...made me bite the inside of my cheek in performance.

I had a professor who worked with him and he said that Beckett always pronounced it GOD-ot.

There's so much comedy in his work that actors overlook, kind of like Chekhov in that way.

Great work.

Expand full comment
Mr. Troy Ford's avatar

I'd love to see one of his plays, but I think the chances of a local production are next to nil... Thanks Tara!

Expand full comment
Jeffrey Streeter's avatar

Thank you, Tara. There's plenty of humour in the fiction too, isn't there? It became less slapstick and more wryly philosophical with time. Which of his plays did you act in?

Expand full comment
Tara Leigh Parks's avatar

Yes, more humor in both.

The playlet, Ohio Impromptu.

Expand full comment
Michael Edward's avatar

I’ve said it before (and I’m sure I’ll say it again), but damn Jeffrey, you are so damn good at being both entertaining and informative. You offer this wonderful blend of wit, personal touch, and erudite knowledge of what seems like every subject, all of which merge to make for such enjoyable reads. Bravo sir!

Also, Troy, you got me giggling straight away with this line — “Never having met a gateway drug I didn’t like, I confess myself daunted by his selection.”

:)

Expand full comment
Mr. Troy Ford's avatar

😂

Expand full comment
Jeffrey Streeter's avatar

That's very kind of you, Michael. I enjoyed writing about this book and I'm grateful to Troy for giving me the excuse!

Expand full comment
Donna McArthur's avatar

I love these informal book club meetings! Thanks Jeffrey for this interesting take on SB. I laughed when you commented about "outskirts of his own offal" because I had just been chuckling about that exact thing.

May we all be able to get nearer to those visions that seem so hard to express!

Expand full comment
Mr. Troy Ford's avatar

Offal outskirts? Oh my, to be a fly on that wall... 😂

Expand full comment
Donna McArthur's avatar

Right?!

Expand full comment
Jeffrey Streeter's avatar

Glad you enjoyed that line too, Donna! And yes to getting closer to those visions.

Expand full comment
Tali Sarnetzky's avatar

I must find this book. Thank you for pointing it out. The point about the perfect cheese sandwich struck home, not because of my love of cheese, of course. To think such pursuits are all in vain is to rob the heart of its fondest hope.

Expand full comment
Jeffrey Streeter's avatar

Thanks, Tali. I’m with you on the fond hopes that we should be careful to nurture.

Expand full comment
Tali Sarnetzky's avatar

Thank you. I think that's why my heart aches every time I think of poor dear Keats.

Expand full comment
Jeffrey Streeter's avatar

❤️

Expand full comment
Tali Sarnetzky's avatar

I'm semi-embarrassed to say my full introduction to Waiting For Godot occurred only last year. It was, however, fantastic.

Expand full comment
Mr. Troy Ford's avatar

Don't be embarrassed Tali! The entire extent of my SB exposure is this here article by Jeffrey! 😂

Expand full comment
Tali Sarnetzky's avatar

Thanks. As Gogo would say "Nothing to be done."

Expand full comment