to ask you about 'Ulysses'?

[willisurvive2under2]

If I say 'Ulysses', does it ring a bell? Have you heard of James Joyce's novel? Did you learn about it at school?

Today the name 'Ulysses' came up in conversation (it was someone's username on eBay!) and DH said it was a girl's name. I said 'surely not' and made reference to Joyce's work. He looked at me like I had two heads. Never heard of it. I didn't think of prodding him about the other Ulysses (the one in Homer's Odyssey).

Is it normal that a 30 something, educated man with 2 degrees (and he went to private school!!) hasn't heard of it? I grew up abroad so I'm clinging to the possibility that it's not taught in this country very unlikely I know.

He's not the bookish/academic type (clearly!), but he's smart in other ways. I consider this to be common knowledge though! What do you think?

Read both at college (they made me).

I associate Ulysses with Homer, Joyce and the 1980's cartoon.

I was taught about none of these in school though. I first came across the Odyssey when I was primary school age because I was given an illustrated childs version of the Odyssey as a present. And I've never read Joyce's Ulysses. It looks rather difficult.

The Penguin annotated 'Ulysses' (Joyce) is your friend. It's funny. But it's gender politics need unpacking carefully.

Maybe start with Kate Bush's "The Sensual World" as a (sideways) entry point.

Na....na na na na.... ULYSSES

I'm with operaha on the Franz Ferdinand song.

Also Homer and Joyce, but mainly Franz Ferdinand.

I was obsessed with classical myths as a child, so familiar with Odysseus/Ulysses from about the age of 8. I did classics at school, and Virgil's Aeneid was a set text at O-level, so knew it pretty well.

When I heard about Joyce's Ulysses, I assumed it was the classical version, so tried to read it when I was about 12, and couldn't make head or tail of it. Tried again at about 18, and just couldn't get into it, and again in my early 30s, when I simply lost the will to live. I fear it will be forever on the list of things I feel I should have read but simply can't, along with A la recherche du temps perdu and War and Peace.

Not knowing it's a male name is a bit odd imo. However, DP, also well educated, also did Latin, albeit for only 2 years, had no idea that the film "O Brother, Where Art Thou" is also based on the Odysseus/Ulysses story.

Wasn't Joyce accused of obscenity ? Finnegans Wake or Ulysses

(I know I could google, but it's more fun throwing a stone into the pond )

Yes, LurkingHusband, and the general consensus is that his response, as he was writing 'Finnegan's Wake', was to become more 'obscene', not less.

If you read U or FW and spot what you think might be an innuendo, it is.

If you read U or FW and spot what you think might be an innuendo, it is.

So a Dublin Julian Clary ...

That's a good analogy to bear in mind when reading Joyce, LurkingHusband . A lot of it is very scatological, slapstick and funny - with serious intent.

Actually, the analogy with modern comedy is very apt.

I thought

James Joyce
Greek chap on a long voyage

and then

Ulyseeseseeeses always walking through the galaxeeeeeeeeee

In that order. But I know have that theme tune stuck in my head

I know about it as a lit student - James Joyce - and from O level classics - Homer. But in fairness to your OH, Joyce doesn't feature on school reading lists often and unless he studied Classics, he may not have read Homer.
Perhaps he's more a science/maths person? I dread to think of my education gaps in those subjects.

This has prompted me to give Joyce's Ulysses another try, found it tough going the first time round. Surprised he wouldn't have heard of Ulysses S Grant though

I went to a comp. Never studied it. But thought everyone had heard of it. Your privately educated dh is not very well read !

I find it hard to believe someone could be educated and have never even heard of the name.

I definitely think of the amaaaaazing cartoon that pp's have referred to.

"It's me no-no, small robot you know, friend of Ulysses."