[slap_j]

I just finished the first chapter of this book. While it was only 23 pages long it took me a half-hour to read. It is so rich and rife with clandestine allusions and obsolete language. Not bad though. Anyone else read it?

[thelitguy]

It's a masterpiece. I got this one for Christmas and just finished it last month. Joyce never ceases to amaze me.

[slap_j]

The more I read this book, the more I realize how beautiful it is (even if I don't understand all of it). I think there is a certain way novels like this have to be read.

[Jas de F]

nope. never read it. and I don't plan to. I prefer writing which is *not* clandestine and/or obsolete, and which, while beautiful, actually makes some logical sense and has a point to it. your own post and my brief browsings of "Ulysses" indicate the book has neither (that is, logical sense or a point).

[Lightknight]

hmmm... I know I've got it somewhere. I think I'll read it and get back to you on it tomorrow. If I can find it. (and if my internet is hooked back up at my house)

[slap_j]

Originally Posted by Pieter Friedrich

nope. never read it. and I don't plan to. I prefer writing which is *not* clandestine and/or obsolete, and which, while beautiful, actually makes some logical sense and has a point to it. your own post and my brief browsings of "Ulysses" indicate the book has neither (that is, logical sense or a point).

Finnegans Wake doesn't really makes sense, but Ulysess does have a point. It's basically the story of Stephen Dedalus and Leopold Bloom going about their business on one ordinary day in Dublin, Ireland around the turn of the centry (the 20th century that is). They eat, drink, argue, shave, talk, walk, think, feel, and reminisce in this singular day -- all told over the course of 783 pages.

[thelitguy]

It's like what I say everytime a conversation about Joyce is mentioned: read it for the diction, not the plot.

Joyce mastered the English language. He knew how to use it like no one ever will.

[slap_j]

As I progress I can see why this book might have been considered obscene (and no, I haven't reached the infamous "m-word" portion).

[_maranatha]

Read it. Loved it. Read it again...

Peace and love,
Rhonda.

[slap_j]

Originally Posted by rhonda_schofiel

Read it. Loved it. Read it again...

Peace and love,
Rhonda.

Wow. Most people never read Ulysses, much less read it more than once.

[Chris]

Originally Posted by slap_j

Finnegans Wake doesn't really makes sense, but Ulysess does have a point. It's basically the story of Stephen Dedalus and Leopold Bloom going about their business on one ordinary day in Dublin, Ireland around the turn of the centry (the 20th century that is). They eat, drink, argue, shave, talk, walk, think, feel, and reminisce in this singular day -- all told over the course of 783 pages.

When I saw the title of the thread I thought you were talking about the ancient Greek guy.

[slap_j]

Originally Posted by Chris

When I saw the title of the thread I thought you were talking about the ancient Greek guy.

Ah yes. Ulysses is the latin name for Odysseus.

Interestingly enough there are a number of parallels between Homer's Odyssey and Joyce's Ulysses.

http://ksumail.kennesaw.edu/~mglosup/ulysses/

[meatfinger]

Reading this book currently. Parts are confusing as hell, but man, is it wonderful at the same time.

I'm picking up a lot (I mean a lot) of sexual innuendo in the interior monologue, especially of Bloom. Am I reading into that, or did other people sense an excessive amount of it as well?

[Kenny C.]

This book scares me. I've almost bought it, but every time I open the damn thing I chicken out, haha.

[leenieweenie]

I just picked it up at the library the other day, plan on starting it tonight. From what I have skimmed through it looks quite amazing.