Reviews with content warning for Suicidal thoughts - Waiting for Godot

The first time I read this I was when I was in the drama program in school at around 17, and I remember it as endless and confusing, interesting and thought provocing, but ultimately it primarily went over my head. I think I owe this play my interest in absurdism though. This is pretty nuch where it started!

I reread it now, at 27, and I still find it confusing and hard to grasp, but still so thought provocing. At it's core it's an absurdist comment on the meaningless of existence, but we also have the importance of the friendship between Vladimir and Estragon. I feel like those two points are the opposites that make the play what it is.

Content Warnings

dovewrites's review against another edition

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dark emotional funny reflective slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

“Didi?” “Yes?” “I can’t go on like this.” “That’s what you think.” Idc what anyone says I’m fully convinced that Beckett is not actually a nihilist or that the way we approach nilihism is flawed in some way. I have not academically studied philosophy nor am I a psychologist so everything from here on out is just a laymen’s opinion. To me this play blurs the lines between nihilism and absurdism. I also think this book exemplifies a trauma response called “learned helplessness.” The stuck feeling of the setting, the fact that neither Vladimir or Estragon seem to be capable of deciding what they should do - all reminds me of that trauma response. Their relationship is so interesting to me, and I think there is meaning in this story, it can be found between these two characters. I find myself constantly going back to my copy to reread certain passages of dialogue. It’s funny and sad and weird and I loved it. I wish Beckett was alive so I could grill him about this play!

Content Warnings

thehutonfowlslegs's review against another edition

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dark funny reflective sad fast-paced

Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No

4.25

Content Warnings

therowdypi's review against another edition

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funny mysterious fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

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