Before reading this book, I wanted to love Joyce. Portrait of the Artist kinda worked for me. Ulysses impressed me, but I never in a million years would have made it through without the guidance of an enthusiastic professor.

Dubliners displays just as much genius as Ulysses, I think. But while Ulysses' styling is obvious, painted over with a broad brush, unavoidable, Dubliners' is subtle, detailed, painted with fine brushes. You notice the artistry more with each story.

Dubliners is accessible. There's something to be said for books that have this much brilliance, but can be read without professional help.

And finally, while we identify with Leopold Bloom, I find that Dubliners'stories, especially "The Dead," get to me more. A more elegant story about insecurity and silence has never been written.