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3.43 AVERAGE
3.43 AVERAGE
challenging
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Joyce is a master of the English language and one of the greatest writers to live. This is his most personal book, and one of the books that influenced me the most.
A gorgeous, musical book. I love Joyce, and even more when it’s an audiobook.
inspiring
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
“Welcome, O life! I go to encounter for the millionth time the reality of experience and to forge in the smithy of my soul the uncreated conscience of my race.”
I like this more every time I read it. I still don't love it, but I like that I see something different to appreciate each time.
What was after the universe? Nothing.
Rich with imagery and philosophy, James Joyce offers a character-study of Stephen Dedalus as he crosses the line between tradition and modernism . As Stephen comes of age, he begins to question his faith, and its role in his life. He asks what we all wish to ask, questioning the wholeness of good and evil, faith and sin. Can you be purely good? Can you be purely bad? Joyce explores this idea through Stephen's experimentation with sexuality and deviation from society. Stephen goes through a process of regret at his "sins", vowing to embody the best Christian. His struggles, confusion, and self-questioning lead to his growth and later epiphany that appreciating beauty should not be considered a sin.
Ultimately, A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man resonates both philosophical and personal.
Rich with imagery and philosophy, James Joyce offers a character-study of Stephen Dedalus as he crosses the line between tradition and modernism . As Stephen comes of age, he begins to question his faith, and its role in his life. He asks what we all wish to ask, questioning the wholeness of good and evil, faith and sin. Can you be purely good? Can you be purely bad? Joyce explores this idea through Stephen's experimentation with sexuality and deviation from society. Stephen goes through a process of regret at his "sins", vowing to embody the best Christian. His struggles, confusion, and self-questioning lead to his growth and later epiphany that appreciating beauty should not be considered a sin.
Ultimately, A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man resonates both philosophical and personal.
I give it 4.5/5 stars. A layered portrait of Ireland, intertwined histories. Religion and arts and youth! There were a few things that went over my head.
challenging
informative
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Read this before Ulysses
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
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
This was one of those books that I pretended to read in high school, yet consequently has haunted me since I have encountered multiple times throughout my career. The audiobook was the way to go; Colin Farrell's narration is well done and allows the story of young Stephen emerge off of the page. However, I fear I may have missed a few of the points that distinguish literary merits, which have been better understood through textual analysis vs audio. Nevertheless, I liked the story and glad that I've finally wisened up to reading it.