This study is about the central place of the emotional world in Becketts writing. Stating that Beckett is primarily about love; Dr. Keller makes a radical re-assessment of his influence and immense popularity.The book examines numerous Beckettian texts; arguing that they embody a struggle to remain in contact with a primal sense of internal goodness; one founded on early experience with the mother. Writing itself becomes an internal dialogue; in which the reader is engaged; between a narrative-self and a mother. Keller suggests that this is Becketts greatest accomplishment as an artist: to document a universal struggle that allows for the birth of the mind; and to connect this struggle to the origin; and possibility of the creative act.This study integrates highly readable discussions of psychoanalytic theory; as well as clinical examples. It will be of value to scholars and readers of Beckett; and anyone interested in his place in literature and culture.
#3331037 in eBooks 2014-12-13 2014-12-13File Name: B00R2DKJLI
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. For any Beatles fan.By YmleaA great read for any Beatles fan.Interesting insights into the making of the film; and how the movie helped shape perceptions of the group members.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. A Hard Days Night: Music On Film SeriesBy S RiazHaving recently re-watched A Hard Dayrsquo;s Night I was intrigued to read this slim volume about the making of the film. However; having read it; I half wish I had not done so; at any rate not so shortly after watching the two volume DVD set; as many of the recollections from those related to the film obviously come from interviews done with those involved which are included in the second DVD of special features. In other words; had you just watched the DVD set; as I did; much of what is included here will be familiar. The initial section ndash; a potted history of the band ndash; is also weak; with many clicheacute; repeated stories and inaccuracies. However; I am pleased to say that there is a lot of information which I had not read/seen before and the book does a good job of explaining why the film is still seen as so influential and well regarded.To begin with; the author looks at previous film offers that the band had received and the fact that United Artists were actually more interested in a loophole in the bandrsquo;s contract with EMI; which would enable them to issue a soundtrack album than in actually making a film. At this point the Beatles were pretty much a British phenomenon; although there were to break the US market before filming began; meaning that United Artists voluntarily gave them a better contract (luckily; as the author explains that Brian Epstein was not the best at bargaining for the best deal) and a greater share of the profits.Of course; ldquo;pop musicalsrdquo; were pretty much contrived and formulaic affairs before ldquo;A Hard Dayrsquo;s Night;rdquo; with a few standard plots; some love interest (Shenson was told by the teenage daughter of a friend that fans did not want to see the Beatles romantically involved with women) and the Beatles themselves wanted to avoid contrived song and dance scenes; such as those used in Cliff Richard films. Richard Lester; the director; and producer Walter Shenson; both decided to do a ldquo;fictionalised documentaryrdquo; ndash; something different; something funny; which would showcase the Beatles natural humour and charm. Scriptwriter Alun Owen was raised in Liverpool and accompanied the band to Ireland for some shows; where he was struck by their humour and insulated existence. Lester; Owen and Shenson then went to Paris with the band; where Lester recalled; ldquo;The film was writing itself right in front of us... because we were watching it happen.rdquo;This book discusses the cast and crew; what was filmed and when; and the post-production of the film. It is nice to read that the cast enjoyed the filming; despite the fact that the crew were as much on the run from the fans as the band were. John Junkin (who played Shake in the movie) described it as the happiest six weeks of his working life. However; not everyone was happy with the final result. It was suggested by some at UA that the bands Liverpool accents would not be understood in the States and that American actors should overdub the Beatles lines for US release. Luckily; this suggestion was not taken. ..Of course; with the Beatles; the music always came first and the band always worked well under pressure. Asked to write the theme tune (once a lsquo;Ringo-ismrsquo; was adopted to name the film); John and Paul came up with the title song overnight ndash; including the high-impact opening that Lester requested and a nice fade out. Indeed; the soundtrack albums put the film in profit before it was even released and for the first and only time a band held the top singles and album spot on both sides of the Atlantic. Lastly; the author looks at the premiere and the response to the film; both critical and its impact on popular culture. This is an interesting read about a film which has lasted far longer than anyone imagined; including those who made it; and helps explain why that is and what makes it special.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. A Review of Ray Mortons book - A Hard Days Night....By Maine ReaderI was eager to read Ray Mortons new book - "A Hard Days Night" - In part because I so enjoyed his definitive "King Kong The History of A Movie Icon".....Although a much smaller volume - The Beatles book contains the same scholarily research and attention to detail that have become benchmarks of Mortons work....A Hard Days Night is a classic film and forever frames the Beatlemnania experiernce for a generation - The music captured the zenith of the Beatles first recored period....Countless books have covered this topic - But all too often brushing over the drill down details - Mr. Morton offers a highly readable account of the project - For both new fans of the film and for hard core followers of the band...The actual story of how the film was green-lighted - The players involved - Especially the accounts from Walter Shenson - are very carefully presented...And of course - the personal stories of each Beatle make the book as much fun as the movie...Highly reccommended - A quick insighful reading experience - A must for your Beatles library....
