Photograph of Raymond Federman (left) with Samuel Beckett (right) by Steve Murez (http://stevemurez.com/Raymond-Federman).
The Sam Book
by Raymond Federman
Today–July 1st–marks the 53rd publication anniversary of The Sam Book by Raymond Federman. The text is a creative essay and “bi-lingual” memoir based in Federman’s connection with Samuel Beckett.
In keeping with Federman’s collage-style of writing, The Sam Book features a mix of anecdotes, articles, conversations, quotes, and other narrative fragments, many of which are drawn from Beckett and his work. In keeping with Federman’s Franco-American background–and Beckett’s own French-to-English writing projects–The Sam Book alternates between passages in both languages. This panning between languages, modes, and moods creates an atmosphere of gauzy, dream-like contemplation. The text is at turns winsome, humorous, and aching, a beautifully intricate portrait of his friendship.
To view the MLC’s materials on The Sam Book, visit our digital archive at: http://omeka.wustl.edu/omeka/exhibits/show/mlc50/item/9906.
