Reviews - Ulysses | The StoryGraph

1.89k reviews for:

Ulysses

James Joyce

3.64 AVERAGE

dani_the_pluviophile_writer's review against another edition

“To learn one must be humble. But life is the great teacher.”

Read from March 21, 2018 - June 22, 2018 and DNF
Read/Listened - Restarted from the beginning on November 6, 2018 and finished Oct 28, 2019.

Review at The Pluviophile Writer: https://bit.ly/2Eucw5p

Ulysses isn't a book that shouldn't be reviewed and rated. This is a novel that needs to be absorbed and taken in slowly and then discussed for its insights and absurdity. It is an accomplishment to finish this complex and behemoth of a novel. It's too much, of well, everything. There is so much to comprehend about this book that would likely take a PhD speciality to truly appreciate. Does that mean this book was entirely enjoyable for its near 1000 pages? Nope. Was it still worth reading? Absolutely.

When I first attempted to read this novel I approached it like any other novel and got a physical copy to read. While enjoyed sections of the book this way I found myself easily distracted from the book and couldn't stay focused and ended up stopping a quarter of the way in. I was determined to read this novel so I thought I would try an audio accompaniment while also reading it physically. This was a strange step for me as I don't really do audiobooks but it, however, proved to be key in finishing the novel. Not only did I enjoy more of the book but I also retained more.

On top of that, I also looked up summaries of each section before listening/reading it so that I could have a better understanding of the references, metaphors, and meaning behind some of the most difficult areas of the book. Doing this deepened my appreciation for the writing as well as my enjoyment.

While it took me over a year to finish this novel, I feel that it how it is is meant to be read as there is just too much to take and in and consider if not taken in methodically.

For those that would like to try my approach you can get audio and e-versions of Ulysses completely free from these websites:

-

Librivox - Two different audio versions. I would recommend the second.

Gutenberg.org - A variety of PDF and Ebook downloads

Librivox is amazing. The whole book has been read by volunteers from all of over the world and while some sections read better than others, it's still wonderful that this resource exists and would strongly recommend that you check them out for other great recordings if you like audiobooks.

All and all, I'm proud I busted through this classic piece of literature and stand on my position on not rating it. I am curious about other people's experiences reading this book, like how did you manage to finish it? Did you enjoy it? Or has gone to your DNF shelf? Shoot me a comment below!

Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Website

avrilc's review against another edition

1.0

Painfully boring. Even thinking about it to write a more thorough review bores me all over again.

gabriellebw's review against another edition

No rating: this book stands alone. It is a beast, and I’m glad I read it.

ctlincoln's review against another edition

5.0

Extremely horny

bkharper98's review against another edition

5.0

challenging dark emotional funny hopeful reflective slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

saschanolte74's review against another edition

5.0

Ulysses zu bewerten, lässt mich einen Vergleich zu den Beatles ziehen. Ich werde vermutlich Zeit meines Lebens kein Beatles-Fan, doch werde ich immer einräumen (müssen), dass ihr Werk objektiv absolut stilbildend, innovativ und meisterhaft war. So ist auch Ulysses all dies, doch muss ich sagen, dass mich Joyces nur selten wirklich ergriffen hat.
So steht hier doch mehr Form und Experiment für mich im Vordergrund, und hier brennt der Autor ein wahres Feuerwerk der Kreativität ab. Der Inhalt steht dem in der Wirkung nach.
Natürlich sind all die Tabubrüche ebenso erwähnenswert wie das Plädoyer für das Außenseitertum. Ich habe Ulysses in der kommentierten Ausgabe gelesen, und ich kann dazu nur anraten. Joyce schlägt dem Leser ein Labyrinth an Referenzen um die Ohren und wer kann schon gleichermaßen behaupten, Shakespeare, irische Historie und Legenden, christliche wie jüdisches Brauchtum, Geburtsmedizin etc. in allen kleinsten Details im Kopf zu haben? Eben.
Und damit zum springenden Punkt: inhaltlich fand ich Joyces viel gepriesenes Werk doch nur in Teilen tatsächlich lesenswert. Wenn man erstmal zu Kapitelbeginn das jeweilige Gimmick desselben verinnerlicht hat, ist hier Vieles für mich reine intellektuelle Masturbation. Tilman Spengler sprach in einer TV-Sendung davon, dass Joyce wie ein hochgebildeter Angeber auf den Leser wirkt - ein Eindruck, den ich hier nur unterstreichen kann.