38 pages 1 hour read

Samuel Beckett

Endgame

Fiction | Play | Adult | Published in 1957

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

Endgame by Samuel Beckett is a one-act, absurdist play set in a post-apocalyptic world, centering on the interactions between Hamm, a blind man in a wheelchair, his servant Clov, who cannot sit down, and Hamm’s parents, Nagg and Nell, who live in garbage cans. The characters engage in repetitive routines and existential conversations, reflecting on the bleakness of their existence and the nature of endings.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

Endgame by Samuel Beckett is praised for its bleak yet profound exploration of human existence, combining dark humor with deep philosophical questions. Critics commend its minimalist setting and sharp dialogue. However, some find its abstract nature and slow pacing challenging. Despite this, it remains a powerful, thought-provoking work in modern theater.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Endgame?

Endgame by Samuel Beckett entices readers who appreciate existential themes, minimalist settings, and dark humor. Fans of Waiting for Godot or Franz Kafka's The Metamorphosis may be drawn to its bleak yet thought-provoking narrative. Ideal for those intrigued by the human condition and absurdist literature.

RecommendedReading Age

18+years

Book Details

Genre

Play: Tragedy

Play: Comedy / Satire

Irish Literature

Period

Absurdism

Themes

Emotions/Behavior: Loneliness

Relationships: Family

Life/Time: Mortality & Death

Topics

History: World