Just thoughts and opinions, im always intrested in how people, non irish people mainly, see Joyces work.
2006-06-10 00:51:14 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Arts & Humanities ➔ Books & Authors
I just got done taking a James Joyce seminar. Honestly, it wasn't until the last week of the quarter (the 10th week) that I finally found affection for Joyce's writing.
Two basic complaints that seemed to arise from fellow classmates: 1) he shows off stylistically more than he cares about the story and 2) he's way too much into sexual perversity (can you believe these are college-aged English majors???).
I can't say I agree with these. Yeah, he shows off, but no more than, say, Mark Danielewski or David Foster Wallace, both of whom are popular contemporary writers. As to the sexual "perversity" - c'mon, we all got needs. I think that Joyce's inclusion of unfiltered unconscious activity - including sexual impulses - is the best part of the reality check he brings to the work. It must have been extraordinary for him to do that as someone immersed in Catholicism (even if he did renounce it).
Another blessing/curse of something like *Ulysses* is that it's so specific to a place and time. It creates a lot of realistic detail, but what to do if that time and place aren't accessible (for example, the now-demolished 7 Eccles Street)?
I'll admit, I'm not part of that freakish group that decided to curl up to *Ulysses* just because, but I think I can call my experience positive.
I'm still scared to pick up *Finnegans Wake,* though.
2006-06-10 04:32:20 · answer #1 · answered by P.J. 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ullysses is lovely hilarious filth although a classical education is needed to understand the nuances of it. Read chapter 4 while having a pony and trap on the khazi. If you are a woman, read Molly Bloom's soliliqy when playing with yourself. (It enhances the experience)
2006-06-13 14:07:10 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Both really fantastic, but probably the best book I have ever read was ' Ginger man' I think that was B. Behan that one has me in stitches, I have never read any thing as funny since.
Have a read of it if your into Irish humour at it's very best.
2006-06-15 14:16:54 · answer #3 · answered by budding author 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I remember (vaguely, its been a while), studying 'Dubliners' at A' Level. One phrase stuck in my mind. 'Dear, dirty Dublin'. He had a bit of a love/hate relationship with the place. All the characters were slightly seedy in some way. I enjoyed it at the time. Might just read it again now I've been reminded of it.
2006-06-10 07:57:13 · answer #4 · answered by R.I.P. 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I hate reading Joyce's stuff. Boring, disconnected crap. I don't agree with his philosophy either.
2006-06-15 12:37:41 · answer #5 · answered by Sophist 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i had to read it for my assignement a few years back
i had to read it a few more times just to get his ideas
i was reading nora roberts at that time
so both writers led me to fall in love with ireland
im saving up just to go there
one day...........
2006-06-10 07:57:07 · answer #6 · answered by vanilla2415 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it is tedious crap.
Then again, I'm from Norn Iron.
2006-06-10 07:54:15 · answer #7 · answered by Andr 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Difficult to find it interesting,
2006-06-10 15:53:31 · answer #8 · answered by brucebirchall 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
pretty much everyone i know has started it but nobody i know has finished it, that must mean something right?
2006-06-10 17:29:54 · answer #9 · answered by theresanangelatmytable 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I couldn't read it. Couldn't understand it.
2006-06-10 07:54:23 · answer #10 · answered by Charles Sobhraj 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋