Sir, - A caveat with Gerry Dukes in his trawling of the Knowlson and Cronin biographies of Beckett (October 5th). Being a proper gent, it was hardly to Anne Madden that Beckett confided what he had said to Riopelle's wife: "Stick to Riopelle, he can fuck and I can't." This may have come at third or fourth hand to Cronin, and at one further remove to Dukes, to leap to whatever conclusion he may.
It doesn't necessarily mean that Beckett was impotent (Billie Whitelaw's memoirs imply otherwise). One cannot take reported speech too literally. In the way of self effacement, or retreating, it may mean: Riopelle does it better, I'm tired of it; as "I don't drink" could mean "I don't drink as much as I used to." All of that.
More Pricks Than Kicks, without making any bones of it, shows that the young Beckett had as many loves as Guy de Maupassant. No symbols where none intended. Can leopards change their spots? Yours, etc.,
Higher Street,
Kin sale, Co Cork.