As an in-depth curation of a publisher’s interactions with one of his authors, Dear Mr. Beckett is something of a Curate’s Egg – but what makes it entirely fascinating is that the author concerned is none other than Samuel Beckett, and the publisher the visionary Barney Rosset (who also successfully fought to get Lady Chatterly’s Lover and The Tropic of Cancer published in the US).
Being given the backstory to the appearance of the likes of Waiting for Godot, Malloy, and Endgame is something of a privilege – as well as an insight into how publishing worked in the mid-20th century; the reliance on letters and telegrams seems so inefficient now!
In addition to giving the reader an appreciation of the relationship – no, friendship – between Rosset and Beckett, perhaps what I am left with most of all is something of a bad taste in the mouth thanks to the not always honest dealings between publishers and interested parties seventy years or so ago. One hopes it is different today!
If you are a fan of Beckett try and get hold of this book; it will provide you with a real insight into the man and the machinations of publishing – and performance – in the middle of the last century.