Waiting for Godot: A Tragicomedy in Two Acts (Beckett, Samuel) Paperback – May 17, 2011

Waiting for Godot (originally published in French as En Attendant Godot) is a great book. Although Waiting for Godot isn't the greatest book of all time, it should be read by every serious reader. I am a bit biased. Here's why:During my junior year of college, our French department held an artistic competition. My instructor in intermediate French (I was a history major) encouraged me and a classmate to do a scene from the book (in French, of course!). We probably did the first third of Act II.Anyway, I happened to be Vladimir, so I would open our skit with the song (the start of Act II). My classmate and I took the assignment seriously. We memorized our lines, and I came up with a simple melody for the song.My recollection is that we were a hit and landed first prize in the competition (ahead of all the participating French majors!). First prize was a nice art book.That was many years ago. I don't remember my classmate's name or my instructor's name. However, I do remember the words to the song (in French) as well as the melody.

After reading the screenplay of Waiting for Godot I did many things. I laughed, I scratched my head, I wondered who this Godot was and I tried to find the elusive plot and meaning of it all. In all, maybe it was Mr. Beckett's primary intention to have all the theater goers go mad!The essence of this two act play revolves around two longtime friends by the names of Vladimir and Estragon who are in search of a character called Godot. The reader or theater goer never really knows who Godot is. Is it the search for God? Could be but who knows. Godot could represent anyone or anything.Beckett gives the impression that Vladimir and Estragon are hobo-like characters who wear bowler's hats and carry on a most nonsensical and repetitious continuing conversation. In fact most of their dialogue is very much like Abbot and Costello's Who's On First. The dialogue goes in circles much like Abbot and Costello.Also another comedy team comes to mind as I read on in what can only be called a farce of a play dominated by absurd allusions. As Vladimir and Estragon continue with their absurd conversations along comes two other characters which add more speculation into what seems to be like the rabbit in Alice In Wonderland added confusion and wonderment in that rather absurd tale. These characters named Pozzo and Lucky add their own comedic scheme to this rather confusing and jumbled tale. When the seemingly intellectually challenged Lucky, who has the IQ of Rocky Balboa, breaks into an outright intellectual diatribe it made me laugh so hard like I remember when I watched old Laurel and Hardy routines as a young boy.The play's meaning and plot is an open book. It can mean anything to anybody. It is full of symbolism and begs for a solid debate. To me it represents life and that life in and of itself at times lacks meaning, shows comedy and can be disappointing and hard to really understand. After seeing this play on February 2, 2014 on Broadway I can compare the play to one TV Series that being "Seinfeld" and the classic movie titled "Groundhog's Day." These are the current comparisons but in the end this play represents a mystery for us to interpret. I'll stick with Groundhog's Day!!!For some reason this play should probably be read and seen multiple times to gain what was in Beckett's mind. I can see why this play is considered a classic. It has all the elements of what the word classic is all about.

Excellent book

A classic that should not be missed.

The room was soothing, like a dream as the fire crackled in its place, singing a comforting like as Vladamir shifts in his nightgown,c crossing his legs over Estrogon warm lap. Estrogon laughs, stretching his arms back, before grasping ahold of his soft angle. The tension in the room grew thick as Vladamir leaned toward, batting his eyes before taking another sip of wine."The night was truly magical tonight wasn't it?" Estrgon laughs at his question. He smiles. "Darling, tonight was the best night of my life". Vladamir bats his eyes again. " Well I do know if one thing that could make the night even more magical" Estrogon unbuttons the first three on his white, flowy long sleeve. showing a forest of hair in his wake. This caught Vladamir in his breath. He was beautiful. He leans forward, grasping Estrgon in a passionate kiss.Anways read this in school and it was really boring okie byeeeeeeeeeee

Compared to my old copy here typeface is more "practical" with space in margins for notes. Paper also lighterweight and not sepied out, easier flip

Waiting for Godot, End Game, Krapps Last Tape, and Happy Days are some of Samuel Beckett's best works. These plays are existential and very bleak. The heros of these plays are 'everyman.' These characters live dark, seemingly meaningless existences; however, what makes them heroic is that despite their dark oppressive lives, they continue trying. Happy Days is probably the brightest of all of these plays because it ends on a relatively positive note, but I think Waiting for Godot and End Game are Beckett's finest.Waiting for Godot is about two characters, Vladimir and Estragon, who are waiting in what seems like a post apocalyptic world, on a road, near a tree. What are they doing? They are waiting for Godot. We don't meet Godot. We don't really know who Godot is. He could be God. As they wait, they sort of discuss philosophical and biblical themes and ideas. These moments provide interesting insights on both. There is no plot. Nothing happens. And, we begin and end the play with these two characters on the road. However, the journey in Beckett's plays are not made by the characters. It is the viewers who are changed. We, along with these characters, are waiting. Ultimately, we need to decide who or what we are waiting for and if it is worth it.I love Samuel Beckett. I love Theatre of the Absurd.