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3.64 AVERAGE
3.64 AVERAGE
I first heard about 'Ulysses' when I was in College 11 years ago. I was at a wrestling tournament watching my younger brother wrestle, and my older brother, a Wabash grad, had to study 'Ulysses' and its literary techniques.
I had asked him what he was reading and he said, 'By far the most dense, difficult book I've ever read.'
For me, who wanted to read more of the classics, it was a challenge.
I went back to school that semester and, while reading assigned works by Hawthorne, Shakespeare, Frost, Marquez etc. I went to what was then Borders Bookstore and picked up my copy of Joyce's masterpiece.
Needless to say, I didn't get far. Maybe the end of the first chapter, which is only 24 pages, not even 5% of the book.
I tried again, and at this point, I had gotten maybe 2 chapters in, and still, done after maybe a few hours of reading.
I put the book away for awhile and focused on school. After a few years of going off and on with this book, researching all about Joyce, and while finishing his short story collection 'Dubliners' and his first novel 'A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man' last year, I decided that, with dedication and taking my time, I was going to start this year by reading the entire book.
I can finally say I have done it.
Here are 10 things I've learned not just about 'Ulysses', but about reading in general.
1) This book is difficult. There is no doubting that, but it is a type of difficult like Demons Souls or Dark Souls is to video games. You have to practice your mind and prepare it for each chapter.
2) Speaking of the chapters, there are 18 in the 783 page version I had read. Each Chapter has a different style (One being in newspaper-form, one being in a drama, one evolving the english language (seriously, this chapter was tough)) but instead of keeping me away from the book, I had become engrossed in it.
3) Joyce is a genius. Seeing his progression in writing from 'Dubliners' to 'Ulysses' is very difficult to describe. It's fun, creative and for the 7 years he took to write 'Ulysses' he did a lot of homework.
4) It is considered Modern Library's #1 novel out of 100 that were chosen (He also has #3 on the list for 'Portrait', he's essentially The Beatles of literature) and I can see why. While the plot is essentially the story of the span of a single day, what makes the novel separate from say 'Gatsby' or 'Lolita' is the structure and controversy surrounding it. For me, I can see why it's #1, but I personally thought 'Gatsby' or 'Sound and the Fury' could've been #1's for me as well.
5)It honestly doesn't matter what 'edition' you read, just read it. I had switched between the original 1922 version and the 1961 version that was revised. You honestly can't tell a difference. I finished with the 1961 version because it, I don't know, 'felt' better?
6) Challenge yourself to read more complex works! This took commitment but it was fun!
7) Pretty much contradicting my last statement, though, I'm going to read some easy short stories for a bit.
8)I will put Joyce up there with Vonnegut, Fitzgerald and Faulkner as a Mt. Rushmore of literature for me. I'd put Pynchon up there, but I'd like to finish 'Gravity's Rainbow' before making that commitment.
9) Random, but Chapter 14 was the toughest chapter I've ever read. 'Penelope', the final chapter in the book, may be one of the best, and I wish Molly was in more of the book.
10) I plan to read this again in due time, in it's original 1922 form.
Now, I'm going to rest my eyes, as well as my brain.
I had asked him what he was reading and he said, 'By far the most dense, difficult book I've ever read.'
For me, who wanted to read more of the classics, it was a challenge.
I went back to school that semester and, while reading assigned works by Hawthorne, Shakespeare, Frost, Marquez etc. I went to what was then Borders Bookstore and picked up my copy of Joyce's masterpiece.
Needless to say, I didn't get far. Maybe the end of the first chapter, which is only 24 pages, not even 5% of the book.
I tried again, and at this point, I had gotten maybe 2 chapters in, and still, done after maybe a few hours of reading.
I put the book away for awhile and focused on school. After a few years of going off and on with this book, researching all about Joyce, and while finishing his short story collection 'Dubliners' and his first novel 'A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man' last year, I decided that, with dedication and taking my time, I was going to start this year by reading the entire book.
I can finally say I have done it.
Here are 10 things I've learned not just about 'Ulysses', but about reading in general.
1) This book is difficult. There is no doubting that, but it is a type of difficult like Demons Souls or Dark Souls is to video games. You have to practice your mind and prepare it for each chapter.
2) Speaking of the chapters, there are 18 in the 783 page version I had read. Each Chapter has a different style (One being in newspaper-form, one being in a drama, one evolving the english language (seriously, this chapter was tough)) but instead of keeping me away from the book, I had become engrossed in it.
3) Joyce is a genius. Seeing his progression in writing from 'Dubliners' to 'Ulysses' is very difficult to describe. It's fun, creative and for the 7 years he took to write 'Ulysses' he did a lot of homework.
4) It is considered Modern Library's #1 novel out of 100 that were chosen (He also has #3 on the list for 'Portrait', he's essentially The Beatles of literature) and I can see why. While the plot is essentially the story of the span of a single day, what makes the novel separate from say 'Gatsby' or 'Lolita' is the structure and controversy surrounding it. For me, I can see why it's #1, but I personally thought 'Gatsby' or 'Sound and the Fury' could've been #1's for me as well.
5)It honestly doesn't matter what 'edition' you read, just read it. I had switched between the original 1922 version and the 1961 version that was revised. You honestly can't tell a difference. I finished with the 1961 version because it, I don't know, 'felt' better?
6) Challenge yourself to read more complex works! This took commitment but it was fun!
7) Pretty much contradicting my last statement, though, I'm going to read some easy short stories for a bit.
8)I will put Joyce up there with Vonnegut, Fitzgerald and Faulkner as a Mt. Rushmore of literature for me. I'd put Pynchon up there, but I'd like to finish 'Gravity's Rainbow' before making that commitment.
9) Random, but Chapter 14 was the toughest chapter I've ever read. 'Penelope', the final chapter in the book, may be one of the best, and I wish Molly was in more of the book.
10) I plan to read this again in due time, in it's original 1922 form.
Now, I'm going to rest my eyes, as well as my brain.
challenging
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
challenging
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
challenging
funny
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Child death, Antisemitism