Demented Particulars

This is a detailed, page by page annotation of Samuel Beckett's first published novel, Murphy . In the introduction, Ackerley outlines the history of the novel and the critical debate surrounding it. He gives an account of the vast range of reading that directly influenced Murphy , and a presents a sophisticated discussion of the 'Cartesian catastrophe' at the heart of it. He also includes an extensive bibliography and a thematic index. Visit Chris Ackerley's Homepage "