Watt (novel)

Watt is a novel by Samuel Beckett, written mostly in France during World War II and first published in 1953 in Paris by Collection Merlin, and in 1959 in London by John Calder.

The novel tells the story of Watt's journey to, and experience at, the house of Mr. Knott, a mysterious and unknowable figure. Watt attempts to understand the nature of Knott and the strange happenings within the house, but is constantly frustrated by his inability to find meaning or make sense of his surroundings.

The narrative is fragmented and unreliable, characterized by digressions, repetitions, logical fallacies, and linguistic play. Watt's language deteriorates throughout the book, reflecting his increasing disorientation and the breakdown of his ability to communicate. The novel explores themes of perception, understanding, the limits of language, and the search for meaning in an absurd world. The book is notable for its experimental style and its exploration of the absurd, reflecting Beckett's broader existential concerns. It is considered a significant work in the development of the modern novel.