MolloyMolloy
Score Classic
What it's about
The first novel of Samuel Beckett's trilogy follows Molloy, mysteriously confined, who escapes to look for his mother, while a man named Moran is sent by unnamed authorities to find Molloy. In the second novel, Malone, who may or may not be Molloy, speaks to us as he dies.
Why it's worth reading
It's on the Guardian's list of 1,000 novels everyone must read, as is Malone Dies. It's mordant, exhilarating and unlike anything else.
You'll love it if you liked
Good to know
It's challenging, with little plot in the usual sense. Many editions collect the whole trilogy.
By the numbers
- Readers48 out of 100 · counts 42%
- Critics30 out of 100 · counts 34% (its stronger lane)
- Bestseller14 out of 100 · counts 14%
- Buzz0 out of 100 · counts 10%
Critics and Bestseller are two ways to earn a place: a book's stronger one counts more. Buzz rewards recent bestseller weeks and prizes, so older books start at zero. The parts combine into the Must-Read Score, shown on a scale where the best book we found scores 99 and the last book to make the ranking scores 50.
Where it ranks
- #381 of the 623 mysteries and thrillers we rank
- #666 of the 924 classics we rank
- #2107 of the 3,057 books we rank
Why it made the list
Reads as
Gripping
More by Samuel Beckett
If you like this, read next
The Godfather
Rebecca
Crime and Punishment
The Pillars of the Earth
In Cold Blood
The Name of the RoseExplore the best-of lists
All 36 best-of lists →
Quick answers
Is Molloy worth reading?
Yes. It's on the Guardian's list of 1,000 novels everyone must read, as is Malone Dies. It ranks #2,107 of the 3,057 books in our ranking, with a Must-Read Score of 64.0 (the best book we found scores 99).
What is Molloy about?
The first novel of Samuel Beckett's trilogy follows Molloy, mysteriously confined, who escapes to look for his mother, while a man named Moran is sent by unnamed authorities to find Molloy. In the second novel, Malone, who may or may not be Molloy, speaks to us as he dies.
How long does it take to read Molloy?
About 6 hours (241 pages), or about 2 weeks at 30 minutes a day.
What should I read after Molloy?
If you liked it, try Waiting for Godot by Samuel Beckett, Murphy by Samuel Beckett or Ulysses by James Joyce.