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3.64 AVERAGE
3.64 AVERAGE
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
282. Ulysses by James Joyce (Novel-E Book & Audible-Fiction) 5* They say the third time is the charm...or so it goes. Perhaps the most challenging book I will ever read, it most certainly fits the bill for now. Welcome to the world of Irish writer James Joyce, and it's anything but pretty. Known as one of the most celebrated works of British literature I delve into this world. Joyce is quite the loquacious writer with a developed knowledge of foreign phrases and some of the most intricate words in the English language, so the dictionary was my constant companion. Not far into the book I am reading about Stephen, while contemplating he picks his nose and wipes the proceeds of the endeavor on a rock. Ok...on to the next protagonist, Leopold Bloom, I'm reading about a visit to the jakes and his relieving his bowels and next stop the public bath where he proceeds to contemplate his man parts floating in the tub. Good grief, this is literature...exasperated I leave it go. What am I missing? I try a second attempt and then when I am at my wit's end I buy the Audible book for the work. Third time IS the charm. I listen to the book and read along with it. Finally it comes together. The Audio had two narrators performing the parts. Jim Norton was excellent with all the accents, singing and most of the narration. Marcella Riordan gave just the right amount and feel to the character of Mrs. Bloom. The experience was delightfully entertaining. What the printed word doesn't include is a lot of the bits and parts of conversations and thoughts are songs. Between the chapters, actual recordings of the music of the period are played so the reader gets a feel for the time and place where the story unfolds. Called a modernist novel would seem accurate in describing this work. With the help of the Audible and referring to Spark notes I was able to complete this read.
I struggled through this book. I did not enjoy it.
While I'm sure there is depth to this story and a rewarding life lesson... I could not get behind it.
While I'm sure there is depth to this story and a rewarding life lesson... I could not get behind it.
Fleshpots of Egypt! This was a tough one. It was actually my second attempt. My first attempt went all right until I got to the Proteus chapter, at which point I decided the book was BS and deleted it off my Kindle. But on Bloomsday 2012 I was inspired to try to read the whole novel in one marathon session. Of course that didn't happen, but I did finish a week later after a few smaller marathon sessions (punctuated by more than one Joyce-induced nap).
It helped me to read out loud through Proteus (which is almost the most difficult part of the book). Reading out loud turns this huge massive text into manageable sentences that you tackle one word at a time, and you get to hear the flow of Joyce's language, which is what (so they tell me) this thing is all about.
Even though I frequently turned to an online study guide for help with synopsis and analysis, I admit I was lost for most of the book. 75% of the sentences contain a tough vocabulary word not defined in my Kindle dictionary. 90% of the sentences contain references to other literature, myths, Irish or English politics, an event much earlier in the book that may or may not have been a hallucination, or phrases in assorted languages, and God knows what else I missed.
The first half is pretty boring. The second half does pick up the action, even if some of it is just inside people's heads. The last few chapters were easiest for me, in spite of all the structural experimentation (a chapter that progresses through the history of English. A chapter written in questions and answers. A run on chapter with 8 sentences.). I understand why this book is important, and I might read it again someday with a thick, serious study guide to help me. But I'm giving it an "eh" rating, 2.5 stars, smack in the middle.
It helped me to read out loud through Proteus (which is almost the most difficult part of the book). Reading out loud turns this huge massive text into manageable sentences that you tackle one word at a time, and you get to hear the flow of Joyce's language, which is what (so they tell me) this thing is all about.
Even though I frequently turned to an online study guide for help with synopsis and analysis, I admit I was lost for most of the book. 75% of the sentences contain a tough vocabulary word not defined in my Kindle dictionary. 90% of the sentences contain references to other literature, myths, Irish or English politics, an event much earlier in the book that may or may not have been a hallucination, or phrases in assorted languages, and God knows what else I missed.
The first half is pretty boring. The second half does pick up the action, even if some of it is just inside people's heads. The last few chapters were easiest for me, in spite of all the structural experimentation (a chapter that progresses through the history of English. A chapter written in questions and answers. A run on chapter with 8 sentences.). I understand why this book is important, and I might read it again someday with a thick, serious study guide to help me. But I'm giving it an "eh" rating, 2.5 stars, smack in the middle.
The most beautiful urination scene in all of literature
I heard about Ulysses when I was in high school. It took me more than 40 years to gain the courage and literary experience to read it. Finally, having done that, I realize a lot more than just time and experience was necessary to prepare me for this novel.
While I thoroughly enjoyed the unique literary style, I was not prepared enough to fully comprehend many of the literary and historical references. To fully understand this book one needs to follow it up with one of the many explanatory/analysis books on Ulysses and then read the novel one more time. I am not sure even after that whether I would be just scratching the surface. Such is the complexity of this narrative.
That is not to say I did not enjoy reading it. I loved the style, and was repeatedly surprised by the fact that book was written almost a 100 years ago. I was mesmerized by the elaborate tapestry of details it uses to paint a rational picture of the main characters as well as the time and place they lived in. I don’t think it is book that is supposed to touch you emotionally. The approach is entirely cerebral, but the unique sense of humor lends a degree of levity.
It is impossible for me to rate this book at this point. It surpassed all my expectations in terms of its formal quality, but since I missed many of the intricate references, I think I should refrain from putting a number.
My only negative impression was about some of the inner monologues (or streams of consciousness) passages. While they were uniformly brilliant, I often found them to be a little contrived and self-conscious.
While I thoroughly enjoyed the unique literary style, I was not prepared enough to fully comprehend many of the literary and historical references. To fully understand this book one needs to follow it up with one of the many explanatory/analysis books on Ulysses and then read the novel one more time. I am not sure even after that whether I would be just scratching the surface. Such is the complexity of this narrative.
That is not to say I did not enjoy reading it. I loved the style, and was repeatedly surprised by the fact that book was written almost a 100 years ago. I was mesmerized by the elaborate tapestry of details it uses to paint a rational picture of the main characters as well as the time and place they lived in. I don’t think it is book that is supposed to touch you emotionally. The approach is entirely cerebral, but the unique sense of humor lends a degree of levity.
It is impossible for me to rate this book at this point. It surpassed all my expectations in terms of its formal quality, but since I missed many of the intricate references, I think I should refrain from putting a number.
My only negative impression was about some of the inner monologues (or streams of consciousness) passages. While they were uniformly brilliant, I often found them to be a little contrived and self-conscious.