Pascale Casanova Book order

In this fascinating new exploration of Samuel Beckett’s work, Pascale Casanova argues that Beckett’s reputation rests on a pervasive misreading of his oeuvre, which neglects entirely the literary revolution he instigated. Reintroducing the historical into the heart of this body of work, Casanova provides an arresting portrait of Beckett as radically subversive—doing for writing what Kandinsky did for art—and in the process presents the key to some of the most profound enigmas of Beckett’s writing.

The narrative explores the intersection of Franz Kafka's literary genius and his tumultuous emotions, delving into the complexities of his psyche. It examines how Kafka's personal struggles and societal influences shaped his work, revealing a profound connection between his life experiences and his writing. Through a blend of biographical insights and literary analysis, the book invites readers to reconsider Kafka's legacy and the anger that fueled his creativity.

In this book, Casanova shows us the state of world literature behind the stylistic refinements--a world of letters relatively independent from economic and political realms, and in which language systems, aesthetic orders, and genres struggle for dominance.