hypothermya 's review for:

A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man by James Joyce

3.0

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This was a difficult read, especially since this edition has all of the footnotes in the back of the book rather than directly beneath the text. I understand that the Norton Critical Edition not only has the notes beneath the text, but also includes supplementary material -- a great boon for anyone who isn't up to date with Irish political history, Irish slang, Greek & Roman classics, religious scholars, etc.

While definitely demanding, the writing itself was actually really rewarding. Joyce has a way of creating very vivid and sensual scenes, bringing to life both the breathless heights of ecstasy and the grimy feeling of poverty and decay.