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best_rat's review against another edition
papa will duly return for you, doncha worry
k_shanahan's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed almost all of the stories, especially 'The Dead', 'A Little Cloud', 'Evaline' and 'An Encounter'. The recurring theme of how life is boring and monotonous and nothing we ever try and do to spice it up will work, got a bit boring. Joyce forced the motion onto me so much that I wanted to scream at him that I get it!! However, I guess that's what he was going for- I got into a monotonous routine reading about monotonous routines.
I really liked his writing style much more than I thought, and this gives me much more confidence to attempt Ulysses some day in the future
I really liked his writing style much more than I thought, and this gives me much more confidence to attempt Ulysses some day in the future
billiamdyemyhair's review against another edition
4.0
Of the 15 stories, 5 of them I found to be bland, uninteresting, or historically lost to time. The other 10 (Eveline, Two Gallants through A Painful Case, and A Mother through The Dead) are great snippets of Irish depression. Very close to 3 stars but The Dead’s ending and A Painful Case are so good it moves to 4.
lucazani11's review against another edition
4.0
THE SISTERS
"The Sisters" is the opening story in James Joyce's collection "Dubliners," and it is widely regarded as one of his most powerful and evocative works of fiction. The story follows a young boy who is grappling with the death of a priest whom he knew, and who he is forced to confront in a series of haunting memories and revelations.
One of the most notable features of the story is its use of symbolism. The title of the story, "The Sisters," suggests a familial bond between the boy and the priest, and this bond is explored throughout the narrative. The boy's memories of the priest are filled with images of decay and dissolution, and these images serve to underscore the idea that the priest's death is both a personal and a symbolic loss.
Another notable feature of the story is its use of narrative perspective. The story is told from the perspective of the young boy, and this perspective is used to create a sense of intimacy and immediacy that draws the reader into the narrative. The boy's emotional reactions to the priest's death are described in detail, and the reader is able to experience the intensity of his grief and confusion.
In addition, the story is notable for its use of language and imagery. Joyce's prose is rich and evocative, and he uses vivid descriptions and sensory details to transport the reader into the boy's world. The story is also notable for its use of repetition, which reinforces the themes of loss and decay that underlie the narrative.
Finally, the story is notable for its exploration of the themes of death and decay. The priest's physical deterioration serves as a metaphor for the decay that pervades the world of the story, and the boy's struggle to come to terms with this decay is at the heart of the narrative. The story suggests that death and decay are an inevitable part of the human experience, but it also suggests that there is beauty and meaning to be found in the struggle to confront and understand these experiences.
In conclusion, "The Sisters" is a powerful and evocative story that explores the themes of death, decay, and loss through the perspective of a young boy. Joyce's use of symbolism, narrative perspective, language, and imagery create a rich and immersive reading experience, and the story continues to resonate with readers today. It is a masterful example of the short story form, and it remains one of Joyce's most enduring and significant works of fiction.
AN ENCOUNTER
"An Encounter" is a short story from James Joyce's collection of short stories "Dubliners." It is a powerful and evocative work of literature that explores the themes of childhood innocence, imagination, and disillusionment.
One of the most notable features of "An Encounter" is its focus on the innocence of childhood. The story is narrated by a young boy who, along with his friend Mahony, sets out on an adventure to find a mysterious figure they call the "Pigeon House" man. The boys' innocence and curiosity are palpable as they explore the city and imagine all sorts of adventures that await them.
However, as the story progresses, the boys' innocence begins to erode. They encounter a strange man who makes them feel uncomfortable and afraid, and their adventure takes on a darker tone. The encounter with the man is a powerful symbol of the loss of innocence that comes with growing up, and it underscores the harsh realities of the adult world.
Another notable feature of "An Encounter" is its use of imagery and sensory details. Joyce's descriptions of the city and its inhabitants are vivid and evocative, and they create a powerful sense of atmosphere and mood. The use of sensory details, such as the smells of the city and the sound of the boys' footsteps, helps to immerse the reader in the story and create a sense of immediacy and intimacy.
The story is also notable for its use of language. Joyce's prose is lyrical and evocative, and he uses a range of techniques to create a sense of rhythm and flow. For example, he uses repetition and alliteration to create a sense of musicality in the prose.
Finally, "An Encounter" is notable for its exploration of the human condition. It is a story about the loss of innocence and the disillusionment that comes with growing up. The story also explores the power of the imagination and the ways in which our perceptions of the world can be shaped by our experiences and our imaginations.
In conclusion, "An Encounter" is a masterful work of literature that explores the themes of childhood innocence, imagination, and disillusionment. Joyce's use of imagery, language, and exploration of the human condition make this story both powerful and timeless. It is a testament to the enduring power of literature to illuminate the complexities of the human experience and to inspire empathy and understanding in its readers.
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Dubliners, a collection of 15 short stories by James Joyce, is a landmark work in the history of modernist literature. The stories offer a powerful and evocative portrait of Dublin in the early 20th century, and they explore themes of paralysis, alienation, and the search for identity.
One of the most notable features of Dubliners is its use of realism. Joyce's depiction of Dublin and its people is highly detailed and realistic, and he uses language and imagery to create a vivid sense of place and atmosphere. The stories are populated by ordinary people from all walks of life, and they offer a window into the social, economic, and cultural realities of the time.
Another notable feature of the collection is its use of symbolism. Joyce uses a range of symbols and motifs, such as water, death, and Catholicism, to explore the deeper themes and concerns of the stories. For example, in "The Dead," the final story in the collection, the snow that falls throughout the story symbolizes the sense of emotional coldness and isolation that pervades the characters' lives.
In addition, Dubliners is notable for its experimental style. Joyce's use of stream-of-consciousness narration, multiple perspectives, and non-linear structure challenged traditional narrative conventions and pushed the boundaries of what was considered acceptable in literature at the time.
The collection is also notable for its exploration of themes that would become central to modernist literature. The stories are suffused with a sense of alienation and fragmentation, reflecting the dislocation and uncertainty of modern life. The characters are often trapped in cycles of repetition and routine, unable to break free from their mundane lives and find meaning or purpose.
Finally, Dubliners is notable for its enduring influence on literature and culture. It has inspired countless writers and artists, and it continues to be celebrated as a masterpiece of modernist literature.
In conclusion, Dubliners is a powerful and evocative collection of stories that explores the realities of life in Dublin in the early 20th century. Its use of realism, symbolism, and experimental style, as well as its exploration of themes of paralysis, alienation, and identity, make it a landmark work in the history of modernist literature. Joyce's influence on literature and culture continues to be felt today, and Dubliners remains a powerful and enduring work that continues to captivate readers and inspire new generations of writers.
"The Sisters" is the opening story in James Joyce's collection "Dubliners," and it is widely regarded as one of his most powerful and evocative works of fiction. The story follows a young boy who is grappling with the death of a priest whom he knew, and who he is forced to confront in a series of haunting memories and revelations.
One of the most notable features of the story is its use of symbolism. The title of the story, "The Sisters," suggests a familial bond between the boy and the priest, and this bond is explored throughout the narrative. The boy's memories of the priest are filled with images of decay and dissolution, and these images serve to underscore the idea that the priest's death is both a personal and a symbolic loss.
Another notable feature of the story is its use of narrative perspective. The story is told from the perspective of the young boy, and this perspective is used to create a sense of intimacy and immediacy that draws the reader into the narrative. The boy's emotional reactions to the priest's death are described in detail, and the reader is able to experience the intensity of his grief and confusion.
In addition, the story is notable for its use of language and imagery. Joyce's prose is rich and evocative, and he uses vivid descriptions and sensory details to transport the reader into the boy's world. The story is also notable for its use of repetition, which reinforces the themes of loss and decay that underlie the narrative.
Finally, the story is notable for its exploration of the themes of death and decay. The priest's physical deterioration serves as a metaphor for the decay that pervades the world of the story, and the boy's struggle to come to terms with this decay is at the heart of the narrative. The story suggests that death and decay are an inevitable part of the human experience, but it also suggests that there is beauty and meaning to be found in the struggle to confront and understand these experiences.
In conclusion, "The Sisters" is a powerful and evocative story that explores the themes of death, decay, and loss through the perspective of a young boy. Joyce's use of symbolism, narrative perspective, language, and imagery create a rich and immersive reading experience, and the story continues to resonate with readers today. It is a masterful example of the short story form, and it remains one of Joyce's most enduring and significant works of fiction.
AN ENCOUNTER
"An Encounter" is a short story from James Joyce's collection of short stories "Dubliners." It is a powerful and evocative work of literature that explores the themes of childhood innocence, imagination, and disillusionment.
One of the most notable features of "An Encounter" is its focus on the innocence of childhood. The story is narrated by a young boy who, along with his friend Mahony, sets out on an adventure to find a mysterious figure they call the "Pigeon House" man. The boys' innocence and curiosity are palpable as they explore the city and imagine all sorts of adventures that await them.
However, as the story progresses, the boys' innocence begins to erode. They encounter a strange man who makes them feel uncomfortable and afraid, and their adventure takes on a darker tone. The encounter with the man is a powerful symbol of the loss of innocence that comes with growing up, and it underscores the harsh realities of the adult world.
Another notable feature of "An Encounter" is its use of imagery and sensory details. Joyce's descriptions of the city and its inhabitants are vivid and evocative, and they create a powerful sense of atmosphere and mood. The use of sensory details, such as the smells of the city and the sound of the boys' footsteps, helps to immerse the reader in the story and create a sense of immediacy and intimacy.
The story is also notable for its use of language. Joyce's prose is lyrical and evocative, and he uses a range of techniques to create a sense of rhythm and flow. For example, he uses repetition and alliteration to create a sense of musicality in the prose.
Finally, "An Encounter" is notable for its exploration of the human condition. It is a story about the loss of innocence and the disillusionment that comes with growing up. The story also explores the power of the imagination and the ways in which our perceptions of the world can be shaped by our experiences and our imaginations.
In conclusion, "An Encounter" is a masterful work of literature that explores the themes of childhood innocence, imagination, and disillusionment. Joyce's use of imagery, language, and exploration of the human condition make this story both powerful and timeless. It is a testament to the enduring power of literature to illuminate the complexities of the human experience and to inspire empathy and understanding in its readers.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Dubliners, a collection of 15 short stories by James Joyce, is a landmark work in the history of modernist literature. The stories offer a powerful and evocative portrait of Dublin in the early 20th century, and they explore themes of paralysis, alienation, and the search for identity.
One of the most notable features of Dubliners is its use of realism. Joyce's depiction of Dublin and its people is highly detailed and realistic, and he uses language and imagery to create a vivid sense of place and atmosphere. The stories are populated by ordinary people from all walks of life, and they offer a window into the social, economic, and cultural realities of the time.
Another notable feature of the collection is its use of symbolism. Joyce uses a range of symbols and motifs, such as water, death, and Catholicism, to explore the deeper themes and concerns of the stories. For example, in "The Dead," the final story in the collection, the snow that falls throughout the story symbolizes the sense of emotional coldness and isolation that pervades the characters' lives.
In addition, Dubliners is notable for its experimental style. Joyce's use of stream-of-consciousness narration, multiple perspectives, and non-linear structure challenged traditional narrative conventions and pushed the boundaries of what was considered acceptable in literature at the time.
The collection is also notable for its exploration of themes that would become central to modernist literature. The stories are suffused with a sense of alienation and fragmentation, reflecting the dislocation and uncertainty of modern life. The characters are often trapped in cycles of repetition and routine, unable to break free from their mundane lives and find meaning or purpose.
Finally, Dubliners is notable for its enduring influence on literature and culture. It has inspired countless writers and artists, and it continues to be celebrated as a masterpiece of modernist literature.
In conclusion, Dubliners is a powerful and evocative collection of stories that explores the realities of life in Dublin in the early 20th century. Its use of realism, symbolism, and experimental style, as well as its exploration of themes of paralysis, alienation, and identity, make it a landmark work in the history of modernist literature. Joyce's influence on literature and culture continues to be felt today, and Dubliners remains a powerful and enduring work that continues to captivate readers and inspire new generations of writers.
victoriafrost1991's review against another edition
3.0
Joyce's Dubliners is not my liking. It is very well written, there's no doubt about that. Yet, some of the stories seem quite bleak or depressing. Some other stories seem quite boring.
What is nice is that these set of short stories were a picture in time within Irleland for specific group(s) of people. One can see how far the country has moved.
What is nice is that these set of short stories were a picture in time within Irleland for specific group(s) of people. One can see how far the country has moved.
toddie's review against another edition
3.0
its like mrs.dalloway written in short stories that dont connect and also in ireland
mars555's review against another edition
3.0
3.5..."(...)snijeg je lagano padao na sve žive i mrtve, lagano, kao što dolazi njihov posljednji čas."
knjiga je u biti nezanimljiva, ali jako dobro povezana sa samom sobom i likovi i situacije jako jednostavno napisani, a u srzi komplicirani..
knjiga je u biti nezanimljiva, ali jako dobro povezana sa samom sobom i likovi i situacije jako jednostavno napisani, a u srzi komplicirani..
eggsmcnil's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
kevin_milne's review against another edition
5.0
Joyce of course is praised for his big operatic masterpieces; but it’s in these little short-story concertos that I feel his skill and insight are truly and understatedly on display. Elegiac, sad-ish, but full to the brim with passion and love for Dublin. Reading it while in the city may have boosted my rating slightly, but thats how books work: we take them in their context, and this one hit just at the right place and time.