More Pricks Than Kicks, a collection of short stories by Samuel Beckett, was first published in 1934. This work marks one of Beckett's early forays into fiction and showcases the developing style and themes that would later characterise his more famous works. The collection is composed of ten interrelated stories, all centered around the character of Belacqua Shuah, a figure who embodies Beckett's unique blend of humor, despair, and existential inquiry.

Set primarily in Dublin, the stories in More Pricks Than Kicks explore the mundane and often absurd aspects of Belacqua's life, from his educational experiences to his various romantic entanglements. The narrative is marked by Beckett's distinctive use of language, combining dark humor with a sense of melancholy and existential angst. The character of Belacqua serves as a conduit for Beckett's exploration of themes such as the futility of human endeavor, the search for meaning, and the inevitability of death.

Despite its initial poor reception, More Pricks Than Kicks has gained recognition for its innovative storytelling and its place in the trajectory of Beckett's literary development. The collection provides insight into the early stages of Beckett's exploration of the human condition, laying the groundwork for his later, more absurdist works.