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Ulysses

James Joyce

Why we're reading this: Available at the Willmar Public Library
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Jan 23, 2016 Kristel rated it really liked it

Shelves: 1001-books, 1001-challenge, irish-literature, stream-of-consciousness, modern-library

The book is the story of Leopold Bloom, a middle aged married man, father of one adult daughter who spends one day wandering around Dublin. We also meet Stephen Dedalus a young university graduate, want to be author and current educator of young men. Much of the story is told by internal dialogue (stream of consciousness) as the characters travel the streets of Dublin. It is really a story of paternity. Leopold thinks about his dead son. Stephen thinks about his conflicted relationship with his The book is the story of Leopold Bloom, a middle aged married man, father of one adult daughter who spends one day wandering around Dublin. We also meet Stephen Dedalus a young university graduate, want to be author and current educator of young men. Much of the story is told by internal dialogue (stream of consciousness) as the characters travel the streets of Dublin. It is really a story of paternity. Leopold thinks about his dead son. Stephen thinks about his conflicted relationship with his father and Leopold takes on a surrogate father relationship with Stephan. Other stories include infidelity of Bloom's wife Molly. If the story was only that simple. Joyce uses the book Odysseus to form the segments of the book and each segment is a whole new and sometimes not very enjoyable experience. I won't bother to describe because you can read Jen's review (excellent) or go through the questions and get an idea of each section but I agree that this book is best enjoyed if taken on as a project and not a reading experience. It takes work but it can be rewarding. I like the aspect of working at something. Reminds me of researching and studying which I enjoyed. I am glad I read the book. It would have been very controversial at the time with its sexual content (mostly just words) but it does not feel gratuitous like so many books. I give it 4 stars because I did enjoy it and I appreciated the genius of the author but I also felt that Joyce was also flaunting his intelligence towards the readers. The person who deserves 5 stars is the narrator of this audible work. Jim Norton did a splendid job of reading this book. It took work because you can't just read this book and know when to sing, when to give certain styles to the words. What a marvelous job. Marcella Riordan does the voice of Molly. A steady stream of consciousness without much pause or change. Marcella's part does nothing to endear you to Molly.
First Sentence: Stately, plump Buck Mulligan came from the stairhead, bearing a bowl of lather on which a mirror and a razor lay crossed.
Last words: unable to do this one as it would be the entire last chapter I am afraid…. but goes something like this
…..I asked him with my eyes to ask again yes and then he asked me would I yes to say yes my mountain flower and first I put my arms around him yes and drew him down to me so he could feel my breasts all perfume yes and his heart was going like mad and yes I said yes I will Yes. ...more

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Oct 13, 2016 Gabe Benson marked it as to-read

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