When we look up from our desk, he says, we are done for. But if we never look up from our desk we are also done for. At the same time, he says, and despite all evidence to the contrary, I never really feel we are done for. That may be my Jewish optimism, he says, what distinguishes me from Beckett and Bernhard. That may be why I feel, however much I admire them, and I admire them greatly, that there is an element of play-acting about their work, which they would like to eliminate but can’t, which they would like to eradicate but are secretly rather pleased with.

Gabriel Josipovici: Moo Pak, Manchester: Carcanet 1994, S. 146f.