Reviews

Gente di Dublino by James Joyce

charlote_1347's review against another edition

3.0

Not the best anthology of short stories I've come across but it was readable. I had to consult Wikipedia to find out what a few of the stories were about, like 'After the Race' and 'Ivy Day in the Committee Room', but most of them were relatable and straightforward. I liked Joyce's writing style - a juxtaposition of ambiguity and exact geographical details. In some places it made his prose a little dry and long-winded but for the most part it ran off the tongue seamlessly. My favourite stories were 'Eveline', 'The Boarding House' and 'A Mother'. There was a common theme running through them which I appreciated and enjoyed. Not sure I would read 'Dubliners' again if given the choice but it wasn't too bad for a required read.

odin45mp's review against another edition

1.0

This was a well written collection of character studies.

I needed more to connect to most of the characters. There is no overarching plot, there is no connective thread that weaves everything together. Ultimately nothing much happens except some petty people go about their lives.

At another time this may have had more appeal to me for its voice and place in time, giving insight to the people of Dublin. But when I read this, it was not what I needed or wanted, and my enjoyment of it suffered as a result.

thebidump's review against another edition

emotional lighthearted reflective 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

4.25

elysehdez19's review against another edition

4.0

Primer libro leído de Joyce, y no se me hizo difícil de entender. La manera en como narra las historias de las personas de Dublin me hace ver que cualquiera de nosotros, por muy normal que tenga una vida, pueden surgir historias extraordinarias. Me estoy preparando para Ullises, pero este primer libro me ha gustado mucho, por lo tanto, espero seguir leyendo más de este autor.

frannyrdclark's review against another edition

challenging reflective fast-paced

2.0

leilabp4's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.0

goatbleats's review against another edition

challenging dark reflective

nyxlikesbook's review against another edition

challenging reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

toffishay's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

This is the first book that I've ever read by James Joyce. I have the honor of being able to study in Ireland soon and wanted to read a little to prepare. Wow, what a great read! These stories are so casually devastating. The characters are all living in suspended animation, some with limited self-awareness and, even sadder, some keenly aware of what they're missing. James Joyce has really crafted some real, sad characters. The depictions of the pitfalls of chauvinism and toxic masculinity are interesting as well. Favorite stories: "Araby", "Eveline", "The Boarding House", "A Little Cloud", "A Painful Case", "A Mother", and "The Dead." 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcohol and Alcoholism

Moderate: Misogyny, Sexism, and Xenophobia

Minor: Antisemitism, Death, and Racism

superraven666's review against another edition

5.0

Dubliners, tales of greatness, tales of sadness, tales of hopelessness, life and death, hope and sorrow, anger and frustration, night, snow, summer, cold, warmth. Tales of the ancient and of the future. Dubliners are ambiguous characters, complex but simple, each short story is so simple yet so hard to understand. Silliness, adulthood, poetry of the death and praising of the living ones. The living dead ones, the dead living ones. The dogma, the addiction, jail, bottled stout, work, clockwork, routine, habits, everyday life. End of story epiphany, chemical romance, absolute masterclass storytelling. Piece of art, piece of hate, piece of warmth and hospitality, a light in the dark and a candle in the night. Rage, desire, fate, money, expectations, impoverishment. Richness of the culture. The past entangled with the present, shades of the future. Misunderstanding, broken life, broken dreams, we want what’s above but get nothing. James Joyce is a genius in his art, every word, sentence, metaphor or character is overthought. Bring back literature.