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3.43 AVERAGE
3.43 AVERAGE
Note to self: stop reading a book if you are half way thru and still hate it
Tough to follow at first, but very rewarding once you reach the end.
"The artist, like the God of the creation, remains within or behind or beyond or above his handiwork, invisible, refined out of existence, indifferent, paring his fingernails."
There's nothing I can say here that hasn't already been said. If you're thinking of reading this book, or have tried but found it difficult to get through, I suggest reading "Dubliners" first, then finding a copy of "A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man" with annotations (you'll need a bit of historical support for this one).
This book isn't for everyone, but please don't be discouraged by reviews that say it's only for people who just want to tick this book off a classics list. I've read this book through twice, and have gotten something different from it each time. I genuinely enjoyed it. There are many layers in his work, and it's worth going through slowly. (Also as a warning, if you're not in the mood for long religious rants, then you might be turned off by this).
There's nothing I can say here that hasn't already been said. If you're thinking of reading this book, or have tried but found it difficult to get through, I suggest reading "Dubliners" first, then finding a copy of "A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man" with annotations (you'll need a bit of historical support for this one).
This book isn't for everyone, but please don't be discouraged by reviews that say it's only for people who just want to tick this book off a classics list. I've read this book through twice, and have gotten something different from it each time. I genuinely enjoyed it. There are many layers in his work, and it's worth going through slowly. (Also as a warning, if you're not in the mood for long religious rants, then you might be turned off by this).
4.5/5. Really great, a personal and fascinating read. It certainly helped that I'm Catholic and got all the references, but I really just loved following Stephen throughout.
It's weird, though, because Joyce's writing style was off-putting at first, yet at the same time kept me reading and fully wrapped up in the story. Definitely plan to read Ulysses at some point...
It's weird, though, because Joyce's writing style was off-putting at first, yet at the same time kept me reading and fully wrapped up in the story. Definitely plan to read Ulysses at some point...
challenging
emotional
hopeful
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
catholicism 😗✌️
dark
informative
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
challenging
funny
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Et ignotas animum dimittit in artes, as Ovid (and James Joyce, quoting him) said.
I have a lot of admiration for Joyce's philosophy of writing whatever the fuck he wanted just to see if he could. I do not, however, enjoy reading it.
I have a lot of admiration for Joyce's philosophy of writing whatever the fuck he wanted just to see if he could. I do not, however, enjoy reading it.