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/lit/ - Literature

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9232196 No.9232196 [Reply] [Original]

Is there any point in reading Ulysses outside of University studies? I mean, is it worth the "general reader's" time to work through it? They say Ulysses is more often discussed than read.

I've read Dubliners and A Portrait. I enjoyed them both, Portrait more so. I wonder if I should just be done with Joyce at this point because Ulysses seems so daunting, it is a lot different from his first two.

>> No.9232212

>>9232196

The point it that's it's a beautiful novel that's very skillful but also very funny and moving. But it's not a novel you read once and then forget about, so readers who just want to be easily distracted for a few hours won't get much out of it. You will have to reread it over your life, doing some research and spending some time doing close reading to reap it's rewards.

Also here's a helpful podcast:
>http://blog.frankdelaney.com/re-joyce/
RIP Frank Delaney

>> No.9232241

>>9232196
give it a shot! even if most of the allusions go over your head (as they do with everyone) you'll enjoy it greatly and will revisit it again and again throughout your life.

>> No.9232280
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9232280

No good author ever wrote a novel thinking "gee whiz I can't wait for only college kids to read this in 100 years"

>> No.9232356

Ulysses is one of the funniest, most beautiful novels ever written. Just read it OP.

>> No.9232374
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9232374

>>9232196
There definitely is.

Finnegan's Wake perhaps not so much but definitely read Ulysses. It's complex and dense as fuck but not as much so as you probably imagine it will be. If worst comes to worst and you're getting lost just get a companion guide or buy a students edition. I have pic related and it's got great notes in the appendices but nothing in the body of the actual text so you can jump from one to the other as you feel the need to..

>> No.9232422

>>9232374
Finnegans Wake*
It's important.

>> No.9232426
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9232426

>>9232374
>Finnegan's

>> No.9232427

700 pages in and pretty bored, does it get better?

>> No.9232434
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9232434

>>9232426
I deserved that

>> No.9232441

>>9232280
This.

Even the authors who are intentionally difficult want to be read and enjoyed.

>> No.9232509

>>9232280
>>9232441
Thanks for all the replies. I can see what you guys mean.

>>9232356

I guess I will have to read it then.

>> No.9232568

i just started reading it a couple days ago and i'm by no means a good reader at this point in my life. i still enjoy it a lot although im sure a lot of the allusions go right over my head

>> No.9232588

>>9232427
Yes, just at the end

>> No.9232593

>>9232588
Kek