Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.43 AVERAGE
3.43 AVERAGE
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Religious verses... Thats it
I switched to an audio book after roughly the first 60 pages because I just couldn't bring myself to read it. It got easier with the audiobook. (Problem is: I have to read it for uni)
The only thing that I found remotely interesting was the political situation in Ireland and the conflict between religion and politics. The rest was rather boring, I have to admit.
Stephen Dedalus doesn't seem like he fits in anywhere, which I guess is the fate of a lot of artists, especially at a young age. But that's about it. That's the only extent to which I could relate to the character.
Contrary to what I had heard about the book in our lecture at University, it does mark direct speech - just not in the way that we are used to by using inverted commas. It was fine, I could make out when somebody was speaking. But what really annoyed me were Stephen's constant jumps between memory and present and the lack of designation on that, because it got quite confusing.
The only thing that I found remotely interesting was the political situation in Ireland and the conflict between religion and politics. The rest was rather boring, I have to admit.
Stephen Dedalus doesn't seem like he fits in anywhere, which I guess is the fate of a lot of artists, especially at a young age. But that's about it. That's the only extent to which I could relate to the character.
Contrary to what I had heard about the book in our lecture at University, it does mark direct speech - just not in the way that we are used to by using inverted commas. It was fine, I could make out when somebody was speaking. But what really annoyed me were Stephen's constant jumps between memory and present and the lack of designation on that, because it got quite confusing.
Honestly cannot rate this because it's one of the most obtuse books I've ever read but it's also "historically significant" or whatever.
Legitimately just some story about a man who is absolutely convinced that he's the only intelligent person in Ireland. While I appreciate that it must feel like a lonely existence, it's also like... get a fucking grip, dude. At one point he has sex with a prostitute and then has a meltdown and becomes temporarily religious. Then he decides to go to university, but spends most of his time thinking about how the students and professors aren't as smart as he is. Think of the worst guy in your English Lit class and I promise this man is 10x worse.
Legitimately just some story about a man who is absolutely convinced that he's the only intelligent person in Ireland. While I appreciate that it must feel like a lonely existence, it's also like... get a fucking grip, dude. At one point he has sex with a prostitute and then has a meltdown and becomes temporarily religious. Then he decides to go to university, but spends most of his time thinking about how the students and professors aren't as smart as he is. Think of the worst guy in your English Lit class and I promise this man is 10x worse.
Many, many absolutely beautiful pieces of language in here. The story of growing up and religious awakening is resonant.
However it is very place-based and history-based, and since I've never been to Ireland and don't know that much about Irish history/Irish nationalism, it was a tough read for me. Also, the stream-of-consciousness and VERY nonlinear structure takes some getting used to. It took me a very long time even though it is very short. To understand this book totally I would probably have to read a LOT of secondary material and reread it like 8 times. It's not really something I am committed enough to do. I've never read Ulysses, which I hear is even more confusing. Maybe I will get to it one day.
Anyway, I would not recommend this book to anyone except nerds (in the nicest way possible).
However it is very place-based and history-based, and since I've never been to Ireland and don't know that much about Irish history/Irish nationalism, it was a tough read for me. Also, the stream-of-consciousness and VERY nonlinear structure takes some getting used to. It took me a very long time even though it is very short. To understand this book totally I would probably have to read a LOT of secondary material and reread it like 8 times. It's not really something I am committed enough to do. I've never read Ulysses, which I hear is even more confusing. Maybe I will get to it one day.
Anyway, I would not recommend this book to anyone except nerds (in the nicest way possible).
The third chapter consists mostly of a priest explaining Catholic doctrine concerning death,judgement, hell and heaven, including fifteen pages detailing the variety and intensity of the suffering of the damned.
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
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
While I liked the stream of consciousness prose and the scene's that described Hell, the rest of the book was a little... Bland. His dreams were also really interesting but overall I just didn't really appreciate what else was going in. Well written but not the most exciting book in the world