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3.64 AVERAGE
3.64 AVERAGE
reading this was like being thrown down a ravine and, while falling, intermittently bonking one’s head on various stone outcroppings tree branches ledges etc. just a lot of brain soreness and prayer. but definitely some interesting stuff
It’s a classic! It probably deserves five stars but I’m deducting one because I hated Leo Bloom and a second for that play chapter. Don’t try to get me to read Finnegan’s awake.
Ugh... This book is my Unicorn... one day I will finish it. But this was not the year.
challenging
funny
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I need the option to give half stars. For me, this deserves more than a "meh" but somewhat less than enthusiastic praise.
In short, I feel that Joyce would have benefited greatly from a ruthless editor. This book is overlong and full of detail and, at times, it feels like little more than word salad. I enjoyed the Oxen of the Sun and its journey through the English language, but even that chapter fell apart for me under the weight of several pages too many. The precise Q&A of the Ithaca chapter was amusing but again, it went on too long.
I thought I was up to the challenge presented by Ulysses and now having finished it I'm fairly certain I don't need to try Finnegan's Wake anytime soon, if ever.
In short, I feel that Joyce would have benefited greatly from a ruthless editor. This book is overlong and full of detail and, at times, it feels like little more than word salad. I enjoyed the Oxen of the Sun and its journey through the English language, but even that chapter fell apart for me under the weight of several pages too many. The precise Q&A of the Ithaca chapter was amusing but again, it went on too long.
I thought I was up to the challenge presented by Ulysses and now having finished it I'm fairly certain I don't need to try Finnegan's Wake anytime soon, if ever.