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38 pages 1 hour read

Endgame

Fiction | Play | Adult | Published in 1957

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Book Brief

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Samuel Beckett

Endgame

Fiction | Play | Adult | Published in 1957
Book Details
Pages

60

Format

Play • Fiction

Period
Publication Year

1957

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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Super Short Summary

Endgame by Samuel Beckett is a one-act, absurdist play set in a post-apocalyptic world, centering on the interactions between Hamm, a blind man in a wheelchair, his servant Clov, who cannot sit down, and Hamm’s parents, Nagg and Nell, who live in garbage cans. The characters engage in repetitive routines and existential conversations, reflecting on the bleakness of their existence and the nature of endings.

Dark

Unnerving

Contemplative

Melancholic

Gritty

Reviews & Readership

4.0

22,885 ratings

65%

Loved it

23%

Mixed feelings

12%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

Endgame by Samuel Beckett is praised for its bleak yet profound exploration of human existence, combining dark humor with deep philosophical questions. Critics commend its minimalist setting and sharp dialogue. However, some find its abstract nature and slow pacing challenging. Despite this, it remains a powerful, thought-provoking work in modern theater.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Endgame?

Endgame by Samuel Beckett entices readers who appreciate existential themes, minimalist settings, and dark humor. Fans of Waiting for Godot or Franz Kafka's The Metamorphosis may be drawn to its bleak yet thought-provoking narrative. Ideal for those intrigued by the human condition and absurdist literature.

4.0

22,885 ratings

65%

Loved it

23%

Mixed feelings

12%

Not a fan

Character List

Hamm

Hamm is a central character confined to a wheelchair in the center of the stage, serving as the adoptive father to Clov and the son of Nagg and Nell. His routine and interactions with the other characters form the backbone of their shared isolated existence.

Clov is Hamm's servant and adoptive son, the only character who is able to look outside through the windows with a telescope. He is tasked with fulfilling Hamm's commands and maintaining the household's routine.

Nagg is Hamm's father, living in one of the garbage cans at the back of the stage. He enjoys reminiscing about past stories and relies on limited resources, such as food, to engage with the other characters.

Nell is Hamm's mother and Nagg's wife, residing alongside Nagg in one of the garbage cans. She partakes in conversations and listens to Nagg's stories, though she eventually succumbs to the grim reality of their circumstances.

Book Details
Pages

60

Format

Play • Fiction

Period
Publication Year

1957

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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