Around the World in 80 Books discussion

Start discussion here for Ulysses by James Joyce.

Let's just say I totally see why this book as banned. I keep finding myself saying "Omg, did I really read what I thought I did just now?" I'm almost finished and I still don't know what to think and can't even begin to think of how I will rate it.

Parts of it are lyrically beautiful. Parts of it are spectacularly brilliant. Parts of it are a bit pompous. Parts of it are just plain difficult to slog through without getting lost. Many parts of it seem bit experimental (this had to be something utterly different from other books published during this typically prim and proper time frame in history). Parts of it are downright offensive. Definitely a roller-coaster ride of a book. I am interested in hearing everyone's take on this one.

So far I've read the intro :-) although out says a lot about the writing that so many errata could go uncorrected, presumably because it was so hard to know what he would say. I'm looking forward to it!

I read this as a college sophomore as part of a class on James Joyce. As a 19 year old, I may have too young to fully appreciate or even understand it. I remember being completely appalled by many things in the book. I have thought about reading it now that I am older but I just can't justify the time commitment.

I wish I had time to read it but I can't because right now I am tackling another big gun (Proust). I really would like to read it though and I was wondering if we could not offer it again later on, but to read in installments, maybe over 4 months, so that it is easier to assimilate. Just a thought. I know that reading together as a group really helps, and since I noticed that not too many people are commenting, maybe the whole thing in one month is too daunting. I remember when I was in college, our English teacher told us to read 100 pages of Ulysses. It did not matter which ones!

Katy wrote: "I read this as a college sophomore as part of a class on James Joyce. As a 19 year old, I may have too young to fully appreciate or even understand it. I remember being completely appalled by man..."

I heard much older people say they weren't able to make much sense of Ulysses! I read the book last year and loved and hated it both. I keep coming back to it, so that is clearly a plus, but reading it was hard work.
I like the construction of the chapters - the different motives, perspectives, etc. As a linguist I prefer the hospital-chapter where the evolution of the english language is being recapitulated. But I also remember the chapter focussing on journalism and the other where Shakespeare's life is being discussed warmly.

It sure is the craziest stuff I've ever come across - it is unbelievable how old this book is; it has aged very well.

THank you for your input. I really want to tackle the challenge one day.

Iselin wrote: "Katy wrote: "I read this as a college sophomore as part of a class on James Joyce. As a 19 year old, I may have too young to fully appreciate or even understand it. I remember being completely ap..."

I felt the same way. I both loved and hated it. I have never read such an experimental book. I could imagine how "shocking" it was to society back in the time it was first published.

I've read this twice, some years ago and I still feel I need to read it again. I totally understand the "love-hate" feeling towards this book. I find it hard to be specific as to what I really thought of this book (which is what people always ask you). I thought it was brilliant, interesting, and dull at the same time, however paradoxical that may sound. You feel like you can't get on with it because it is so complicated, while at the same time you really want to finish it. I definitely want to read it again, which I think is a good thing about a book.