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Original poster

Has anyone actually read Ulysses (the Joyce one)?

88 replies

Inextremis · 26/06/2024 18:35

I've been meaning to read it for years, and I've started - but my lawd, it's hard going! I think I've had to look up at least five words in the dictionary so far, and the Latin is beyond me. Is it worth persevering? I'm finding it difficult to work out exactly what's going on - so far they've left the 'tower' and seen a dead dog at the forty foot - tell me it gets better?

OP posts:
Original poster
Inextremis · 26/06/2024 21:07

I'm in awe of those of you who have read it - especially more than once! Its reputation as 'the greatest novel ever written' made me want to attempt to get through it - I shall persevere - but slowly!

OP posts:
Ormally · 26/06/2024 20:45

Some images documenting the people who signed the petition against restricting full publication on obscenity grounds, in case of interest - included in the back of my almost 100 yr old edition.

Has anyone actually read Ulysses (the Joyce one)?
Has anyone actually read Ulysses (the Joyce one)?
Has anyone actually read Ulysses (the Joyce one)?
PaminaMozart · 26/06/2024 18:55

MaxandMeg · 26/06/2024 18:47

I have - more than once. You can read it on all sorts of levels. Just let it wash over you. You don't need to understand every single word. Or work from a synopsis and engage with the episodes that interest you.

I agree - though I never actually got through the novel in its entirety....... let alone more than once.

I did read Molly's monologue several times...

ISeriouslyDoubtIt · 26/06/2024 18:51

Yes I have! It was about 35 years ago in my mid twenties and I had an hour's train commute each way to work, so read it on the journey. I did feel a sense of achievement when I'd finished. I can't remember a thing about it apart from I think near the end, when there were pages and pages of a huge stream of consciousness from Molly Bloom, but even that might be a false memory or confused with another book.
I never read any more Joyce, but did then read a very interesting biography of his wife called"Nora". I certainly would not have wanted to be married to him for one second.

thestudio · 26/06/2024 18:50

I read Ulysses for Eng Lit and it was indeed very painful.

That's literally all I remember about it.

SilverBranchGoldenPears · 26/06/2024 18:49

I’ve read it twice and love it very much. Greatest novel ever written.
Any academic saying that it’s not the sort of book to be read cover to cover, or haven’t read it, are academics whom I would give a strong side eye to. Really shameful.

Ormally · 26/06/2024 18:49

Yes, but not in one go - sections as and when. Don't recall any spoilers but it's quite possible they went over my head.
The last section is a must, even if nothing else.

MaxandMeg · 26/06/2024 18:47

I have - more than once. You can read it on all sorts of levels. Just let it wash over you. You don't need to understand every single word. Or work from a synopsis and engage with the episodes that interest you.

ZenNudist · 26/06/2024 18:46

I have read all of the words in Ulysses in order and tried to comprehend the meaning. This was for my English literature degree when I was very good at reading complicated texts. I can't say I enjoyed the experience or got anything out if it.

I wouldn't read it now as an adult for fun.

I have read all of the bible more recently. That's a much better read, just skip leveticus and numbers.

ToffeeForEveryone · 26/06/2024 18:45

Yes I have, for uni. Dubliners was great. Ulysses was painful.

It's time of your life you won't get back. Not an enjoyable experience.

SeulementUneFois · 26/06/2024 18:42

Yes I have (and I'm not in academia). Twice actually (first time at 14 in my native language - not English, so doesn't really count).
The reading process is enjoyable OP!

booksunderthebed · 26/06/2024 18:40

I once was chatting with several actual scholars of Joyce, and I asked if any of them had read Ulysses cover to cover, and they replied that no, its not that type of book.

I've read Dubliners but only because I had to.

TheMarzipanDildo · 26/06/2024 18:36

No one has actually read Ulysses!

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