Today is the start of our Ulysses readalong (it’s never to late to join in!), so I thought I’d post some info on Joyce and his novel:
- Ulysses takes place entirely on one day, June 16, 1904, which is the day that Joyce had his first date with his future wife, Nora Barnacle.
- It was first published in 1922, by Sylvia Beach, owner of Shakespeare and Company. Prior to that it was serialized in an American journal (and also partly in a British journal). Until the smutty stuff showed up…
- …and the book was later banned in the US and England due to charges of obscenity.
- The main character, Leopold Bloom, is a modern, everyday version of the Homer’s great hero Odysseus. Bloom’s day mimics Odysseus’s adventures. Check out the Gilbert Schema, which maps out the chapters, their themes and connections to Homer’s Odyssey. I have this puppy printed out and stashed in my book. And no, I don’t consider it cheating. Also, this short essay describes how the schema works, as well as Joyce’s intent behind some of the symbolism.
- Bloomsday is celebrated each year on (of course) June 16th. The day is a celebration of both Joyce and his famous novel, and many people walk the route Bloom takes through Dublin in the book.
- This site will take you on a chapter-by-chapter photo tour of Ulysses and Dublin.
- It’s been said that Chapter 3 (Proteus) is the stopping point for many a reader. However, it’s also a short chapter, and if you make it past this roadblock, there’s a good chance you’ll make it through the book.
- A list of characters in the novel might come in handy.
- And finally, here’s an overview of the whole shebang, including themes, style, and chapter summaries.
Leopold Bloom, as drawn by Joyce
Good for you for undertaking this! I think I’ll stick with reading your summaries! :–)
Good luck with this, Jill! I am hoping that you love it and it encourages me to pick it up as well!
Thanks for those links! I was planning to look for info and you found it for me.
I listened to the first chapter on librivox and it was TERRIBLE. I think it was just a bunch of drunk grad students taking turns reading (there were a few belches, curse words, and other debauchery). I’m snowed in at home today, so I hope to get some reading finished, but thanks for all the links. Some of these I had bookmarked already but will check out the rest.
WAHOO!!! Let the fun begin.
Good luck! I tried reading it with my grad school colleagues several years ago. I might’ve made more headway with more preparation.
Thank you! and a BIG thank you to Trish-of-comment-#4 for sending me the chapter start sentences since i’m reading the eReader version and am not sure (cuz I haven’t yet looked) if I can tell when chapters end and begin. I printed off off the schema and will now go read the explanation of such.
Off we go!
I am laughing at you. I apologize for it. But I just adore how serious you are taking this. Notes and charts and lists and synopses. I LOVE IT.
Thanks for the links-SUPER helpful!
You said that you have the Vintage edition? Do you know where exactly the chapter breaks are?
My husband actually decided to read this one. We found a used copy at Half Price Books for a buck. I hope you guys have fun!