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Introducing Graphic Guides
Introducing Joyce: A Graphic Guide
James Joyce is one of the most famous--and controversial--writers of the twentieth century. The myth of his difficulty has discouraged many readers from works such as "Ulysses," but David Norris explores his life and work in this engaging and intellectually rigorous introduction.
350 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1994
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
October 10, 2019
"Neden bunca zaman şu Joyce dan bu kadar çekinmişim ki" diye sorduran eğlenceli akılda kalıcı , çok güsel çizgilerle desteklenmiş bir kitap. Joyce okumadan önce okunacak harika bir kitap. Öneri için teşekkürler Arturo :)
October 13, 2019
Çok güzel bir kitaptı. Resimli anlatısı eğlenceli ve ilgi uyandırıcıydı. Keşke her büyük yazarla ilgili böyle bir kitap yazılmış olsa diye düşündüm. Joyce'a dair bütüncül ve yaklaştırıcı bilgiler mevcut. Joyce okumaya başlamadan da okunabilir, okumuş olsanız da okunabilir. Her türlü yararı olacaktır. Dublinliler, Oda Müziği, Sanatçının Bir Genç Adam Olarak Portresi, Ulysses ve Finneganın Uyanışı kitaplarının yazılışı ve kapsamlarına dair tatmin edici özetsel bir anlatım mevcut. Çağın en önemli yazarlarından birine yaklaşmak adına mutlaka göz atmanızı tavsiye ettiği bir kitap.
Herkese iyi okumalar.
Herkese iyi okumalar.
September 3, 2022
بیخود نبوده است که هدایت وقتی سخن از جویس می گوید در نامه هایش به حسن شهیدنورایی، می نویسد که جز او بقیه کار بیهوده کرده اند. بیخود نیست که جویس مهم ترین هاست در صد سال گذشته بی خود نیست که هنوز هم هدایت آن بالا ایستاده در ادبیات لاغر و بی کَس ما و خلاصه که این مختصر نوشته درباره ی روانشاد جیمز جویس خوب چیزی است برای دستِ کم دانستن اینکه بهتر است پیِ خواندن کتابهای ترجمه نشدنی او نرفت اگرچه نخوانده هم ستودنی ست! شگفتا
دوازدهم شهریورِ بی شرفِ 1401 خورشیدی
دوازدهم شهریورِ بی شرفِ 1401 خورشیدی
September 23, 2019
I’ve been wanting to read Joyce’s Ulysses for years but its infamy and mixed awe and outrage made it intimidating, not to mention its length. Always at the back of my mind and not knowing where to start, where my other half made the casual remark of just picking it up and trying it. This made sense, it’s so obvious and yet it didn’t seem enough. Then this year I found this short guide, it’s broken up with graphics and gives an overview of Joyce’s life and his works, including Ulysses. It’s not detailed notes more pointers and correlating biographical details of Joyce’s life to his works. The cartoony illustrations also made this an entertaining read, one is a parody of a scene found on an ancient Greek vase, with Joyce in the centre is surrounded by Roman gods and heroes. With its handful of cues this is a starting point for me to read Joyce’s works, the first I will read this year, the short version of Ulysses.
October 21, 2010
She was a comedienne that worked blue. After the show I walked straight up to her and said "I like your bawdy." At this point I probably don't need to tell you that we hit it off.
She had two loves in her life at the time. (1) Troy, her Princeton-graduated boyfriend, and (2) an extreme love and respect for the Iliad , especially the for Trojan War as it is described throughout this Greek epic cycle.
I was in love and desperately had to win her comedienne-sized heart at all cost. Sizing up the competition, I created some SMART goals:
(a) I read and re-read the Joyce novel Ulysses .
(b) I tripped Troy, forcing him to fall down three flights of stairs.
With Troy out of the way we laughed and loved and discussed the Iliad until dawn. We were married later that evening. Life was bliss until Troy came to visit my comedienne wife while I was out purchasing comic books. Greeted at the door by the reconciled pair a few hours later, I was asked to explain my grievous actions:
"It's not my fault that Troy fell."
We separated immediately and were divorced a fortnight later.
She had two loves in her life at the time. (1) Troy, her Princeton-graduated boyfriend, and (2) an extreme love and respect for the Iliad , especially the for Trojan War as it is described throughout this Greek epic cycle.
I was in love and desperately had to win her comedienne-sized heart at all cost. Sizing up the competition, I created some SMART goals:
(a) I read and re-read the Joyce novel Ulysses .
(b) I tripped Troy, forcing him to fall down three flights of stairs.
With Troy out of the way we laughed and loved and discussed the Iliad until dawn. We were married later that evening. Life was bliss until Troy came to visit my comedienne wife while I was out purchasing comic books. Greeted at the door by the reconciled pair a few hours later, I was asked to explain my grievous actions:
"It's not my fault that Troy fell."
We separated immediately and were divorced a fortnight later.
November 23, 2024
Mini Joyce biyografisi. Doğumundan ölümüne kadar hayatının kilit noktalarıyla, tüm eserlerinin incelemeleri bir arada, alıntılar, çizimler eşliğinde şahane Ülkü Tamer çevirisi ile Joyce'a farklı bir bakış.(Portre'den bazı alıntıları Murat Belge çevirisi ile karşılaştırdım ve Ülkü Tamer çevirisinin ne kadar pürüzsüz olduğunu gördüm.)
Bu harika kitabı Ketebe Yayınları tekrar basmış ancak şu an piyasada yok, yeni baskısının yapılmasını diler herkese ısrarla öneririm.
Bu harika kitabı Ketebe Yayınları tekrar basmış ancak şu an piyasada yok, yeni baskısının yapılmasını diler herkese ısrarla öneririm.
February 8, 2019
A very informative, quality guide on Joyce's life, most famous (voiced) thoughts and works. If you're about to read Ulysses, Portrait or Finnegan's Wake, I recommend consulting with this guide first as it addresses the symbolism in each book in quite some depth, while never being boring.
June 17, 2018
Reading about Joyce was much, much easier than reading Joyce. Regardless, this was a fascinating little book and I really, really enjoyed it. In fact, I enjoyed it so much that I want to go out and read some more of his work. I read and enjoyed excerpts from Dubliners and Finnegans Wake in college, but always found this author to be dense and hard to grasp. But, after reading this guide, I feel much more comfortable attempting him again. It was super-informative, but never too wordy. In short, it was perfect!
August 18, 2025
Cualquier acompañante para leer a Joyce es de mucha ayuda
September 5, 2014
از کنار یک ویترین کتابفروشی تو سه راه فرمانیه رد می شدم که دیدم انگار با جاهای دیگه فرق داره. رفتم تو دیدم خانم مسن و شیک کتابفروش داره برای خودش کتاب می خونه منم سلام کردم و شروع کردم به چرخیدن و زیر و رو کردن قفسه ها که پشت یک سری از کتاب های فلسفه، این کتاب رو با قیمت باورنکردنی 900 تومان پیدا کردم و جالب اینکه کلی از کلیدهای ورود به دنیای پیچیده جویس رو به همراه نقاشی های کمیک و جالبش دست خواننده می ده و بسیار هم روان و ساده این کار سخت رو انجام می ده
به گمانم این روزها یکی از انواع مفرح شکار پیدا کردن کتاب های چاپ قدیم و کمیاب لابلای قفسه های کتابفروشی ها باشه
به گمانم این روزها یکی از انواع مفرح شکار پیدا کردن کتاب های چاپ قدیم و کمیاب لابلای قفسه های کتابفروشی ها باشه
June 10, 2007
For what it is, it's great. I read it before another one of my ill-fated attempts to get through Ulysses. I ended up going out and buying Dubliners and Portrait of the Artist, too, both of which I finished. Alas, Ulysses still sits in storage along with this introduction, which has great illustrations and a lot of carefully-researched biographical detail about Joyce himself that you won't necessarily run into in another book that you're ever likely to read.
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August 2, 2011Although people tend to underestimate and look down on this kind of books, they can be very useful in making the first steps into some more serious matters. This one in particular really helped me understanding Joyce. Good starting point.
July 13, 2007
when it somes to Joyce I expect something more!
January 26, 2021
This guide provides a concise overview of the life and work of James Joyce. I’ve now read a few of the titles in this series (they are available on Amazon Prime,) and this has been my favorite so far. To be fair, this might have to do with the nature of the subject matter (most of the volumes I’ve read previously were about more complex philosophical subject matter, topics about which it’s harder to write clearly and concisely, while still meaningfully. Which is not to say Joyce’s work can’t be daunting.)
Like the other books in the series, this one is arranged into short (1-2 page) sections (about 70 of them) that each address a particular topic. There is a general chronological flow, though some of the sections deal more with the great novelist as a person, others focus more on his books, and still others talk about influences – both those who influenced him and how he influenced others. As the subtitle suggests, there are graphics throughout. Most of these are black and white drawings in a cartoon style that serve to reiterate or dramatize key points. There is one quite useful table that maps Joyce’s “Ulysses” to Homer’s “The Odyssey,” which influenced it.
Which brings us to the value of a book like this when trying to understand Joyce’s work. Having been reading “Ulysses” of late, I’m interested in gaining more depth of insight into the man’s work. Joyce’s language is beautiful, but for me it’s been a bit more like reading poetry than prose. Story is dialed down to virtual non-existence. Referring back to the aforementioned table that describes how “Ulysses” and “The Odyssey” relate offers a great example. When one sees the title “Ulysses,” one immediately thinks of Homer’s epic poem, but a straight-forward reading of each work leaves one wondering how two books could be more different. “The Odyssey” is the harrowing tale of Odysseus’s (a.k.a. Ulysses’s) ten-year return journey after the Trojan War, it features monsters, ship wrecks, cunning lovers, a visit to the underworld, a rampaging slaughter, etc. “Ulysses” is the story of a couple guys (mostly Leopold Bloom, but also Steven Daedalus) who go about their seemingly mundane daily lives in Dublin, Ireland. There are no monsters, witches, duels to the death, and – arguably -- the big excitement is the attendance of the funeral of an unknown character. However, Norris offers the reader insights into how the two works can be seen as linked.
There are similar breakdowns of other major works (i.e. “Dubliners,” and “A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man.”) Special focus is given to the unique ways in which these works are arranged and the philosophy and psychology that inform them.
In addition to the aforementioned graphics, there is a “Further Reading” section at the end to point readers to works that will help them to further flesh out their understanding of this curious author and his notoriously challenging works.
If you’re interested in decoding Joyce, I’d recommend you check out this brief guide.
Like the other books in the series, this one is arranged into short (1-2 page) sections (about 70 of them) that each address a particular topic. There is a general chronological flow, though some of the sections deal more with the great novelist as a person, others focus more on his books, and still others talk about influences – both those who influenced him and how he influenced others. As the subtitle suggests, there are graphics throughout. Most of these are black and white drawings in a cartoon style that serve to reiterate or dramatize key points. There is one quite useful table that maps Joyce’s “Ulysses” to Homer’s “The Odyssey,” which influenced it.
Which brings us to the value of a book like this when trying to understand Joyce’s work. Having been reading “Ulysses” of late, I’m interested in gaining more depth of insight into the man’s work. Joyce’s language is beautiful, but for me it’s been a bit more like reading poetry than prose. Story is dialed down to virtual non-existence. Referring back to the aforementioned table that describes how “Ulysses” and “The Odyssey” relate offers a great example. When one sees the title “Ulysses,” one immediately thinks of Homer’s epic poem, but a straight-forward reading of each work leaves one wondering how two books could be more different. “The Odyssey” is the harrowing tale of Odysseus’s (a.k.a. Ulysses’s) ten-year return journey after the Trojan War, it features monsters, ship wrecks, cunning lovers, a visit to the underworld, a rampaging slaughter, etc. “Ulysses” is the story of a couple guys (mostly Leopold Bloom, but also Steven Daedalus) who go about their seemingly mundane daily lives in Dublin, Ireland. There are no monsters, witches, duels to the death, and – arguably -- the big excitement is the attendance of the funeral of an unknown character. However, Norris offers the reader insights into how the two works can be seen as linked.
There are similar breakdowns of other major works (i.e. “Dubliners,” and “A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man.”) Special focus is given to the unique ways in which these works are arranged and the philosophy and psychology that inform them.
In addition to the aforementioned graphics, there is a “Further Reading” section at the end to point readers to works that will help them to further flesh out their understanding of this curious author and his notoriously challenging works.
If you’re interested in decoding Joyce, I’d recommend you check out this brief guide.
February 13, 2021
First read in winter 1998 while taking a non-credit course at Rice University on Ulysses, I pulled it out again to supplement my reading of Finnegans Wake. I love these graphic guides, the "Introducing XXXX" or "XXX for Beginners." My first exposure to this genre was Freud for Beginners, which I borrowed from a friend's father (distinguished professor of English at Purdue) to help with a Freud research project for psychology class in my freshman year in high school. I've been addicted to these guides ever since. Half-Price Books in Houston used to have a steady supply of these in stock, and I snatched up every title I could, on topics as diverse as Jung, Islam, Post-Modernism, and the History of Clowns, among others. I still have most of them floating around the house. I don't recall whether I got this volume at Half-Price Books or from Quality Paperback Book Club. Anyway, it was helpful then, and it was helpful again 20+ years later.
November 3, 2022
Mi sono finalmente decisa. Ho preso l'"Ulisse" dagli scaffali della leggendaria Hodges Figgis. Ma prima di cimentarmi nell'impresa avevo bisogno di una guida che potesse espormi al mondo, all'immaginario e al linguaggio di Joyce in modo graduale.
L'introduzione di Norris e Flint è maneggevole e amichevole ma rigorosa. Passa in rassegna la biografia dell'autore, le sue opere e ne commenta alcuni passi offrendo chiavi di lettura pratiche. A questo aggiunge un senso dell'umorismo irlandese propedeutico.
L'introduzione di Norris e Flint è maneggevole e amichevole ma rigorosa. Passa in rassegna la biografia dell'autore, le sue opere e ne commenta alcuni passi offrendo chiavi di lettura pratiche. A questo aggiunge un senso dell'umorismo irlandese propedeutico.
August 9, 2025
Un interesante texto que desgrana la vida de James Joyce y el sentido de sus escritos, llenos de claves y secretos que pueden pasar desapercibidos si se leen sus obras con cierta ligereza.
El texto se combina, como toda la colección, con viñetas que ayudan a la comprensión y que son más bien curiosas. Seguro que te detendrás en ellas cada página. De esta manera los conceptos se fijarán mejor en tu cabeza.
No es el primer libro que leo de esta colección. Y siempre me han parecido muy interesantes y reveladores.
Muy recomendable.
El texto se combina, como toda la colección, con viñetas que ayudan a la comprensión y que son más bien curiosas. Seguro que te detendrás en ellas cada página. De esta manera los conceptos se fijarán mejor en tu cabeza.
No es el primer libro que leo de esta colección. Y siempre me han parecido muy interesantes y reveladores.
Muy recomendable.
September 10, 2024
A fine and useful graphic introduction to James Joyce.
I was happy to sample it before diving into the ocean that is Ulysses. Of which there are tantalising hints only.
There are also useful summaries and hints to the complexities of the stories of 'A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man' and 'Dubliners'. The finale tries to prepare the reader for a visit to 'Finnegan's Wake'.
But of course, there is no substitute for the real thing.
I was happy to sample it before diving into the ocean that is Ulysses. Of which there are tantalising hints only.
There are also useful summaries and hints to the complexities of the stories of 'A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man' and 'Dubliners'. The finale tries to prepare the reader for a visit to 'Finnegan's Wake'.
But of course, there is no substitute for the real thing.
June 20, 2020
Very brief introduction to Joyce, with interesting graphics (see the comments section on FB for this post) giving basic but insightful perspective on Joyce's life. Didn't read anything new here, but enjoyed the selected passages. For someone just beginning Joyce, this would be the lightest weight introduction you are likely to find.
August 19, 2021
كتاب ممتع ومسلي يعرض لحياة الكاتب الروائي الأيرلندي جيمس جويس وأعماله الأدبية بأسلوب شيق وسلس
وعلى الرغم من عدم معرفتي السابقة بالكاتب إلا أنني استمتعت جداً بالرحلة معه من خلال حياته وأعماله
كما انه كتاب سهل حتى على القراء المبتدئين وصغار السن نظراً لكونه مليء بالصور والرسوم التعبيرية والتوضيحية الكاريكاتورية مما يجعله القراءة ممتعة ومسلية
وعلى الرغم من عدم معرفتي السابقة بالكاتب إلا أنني استمتعت جداً بالرحلة معه من خلال حياته وأعماله
كما انه كتاب سهل حتى على القراء المبتدئين وصغار السن نظراً لكونه مليء بالصور والرسوم التعبيرية والتوضيحية الكاريكاتورية مما يجعله القراءة ممتعة ومسلية
December 1, 2024
Eh.. quizá no debí leerlo del tirón porque siento que me va a explotar la cabeza de tantos datos.
Una forma liviana de entender a Joyce, sus obras y su contexto. No lo conocía, así que fue abrumadora la cantidad de información que obtuve; la maquetacion gráfica de este libro solo hizo que fuera mucho más fácil de leer.
Una forma liviana de entender a Joyce, sus obras y su contexto. No lo conocía, así que fue abrumadora la cantidad de información que obtuve; la maquetacion gráfica de este libro solo hizo que fuera mucho más fácil de leer.
Read
January 13, 2025James Joyce was such a complicated character and his books range from complex to unreadable! This little guide is quite complicated in its own right, but it does link his life and influences with his work. Some useful clues on how to read Joyce (aloud in Irish!) and deconstruction of Ulysses ... I need all the help I can get ... but OMG Finnegan's Wake looks even more 'difficult' :(
July 9, 2019
Really interesting
Reads almost like a novel itself, but it steers me away from Joyce who sounds painfully complex. I guess that I have reached an age where I no longer enjoy the struggle of reading a difficult book.
Reads almost like a novel itself, but it steers me away from Joyce who sounds painfully complex. I guess that I have reached an age where I no longer enjoy the struggle of reading a difficult book.
May 3, 2023
definitely worth a read
A lovely and thoughtful gloss on Joyce, his life and work. It’s a quick read, maybe a bit fragmented, but insightful. The illustrations are clever and well matched with the text. I would recommend it to anyone wishing an introduction to James Joyce.
A lovely and thoughtful gloss on Joyce, his life and work. It’s a quick read, maybe a bit fragmented, but insightful. The illustrations are clever and well matched with the text. I would recommend it to anyone wishing an introduction to James Joyce.
December 3, 2024
Me salté las partes mas avanzadas sobre Ulises ya que lo leere pronto.
Lei Dublinesses y Retrato del artista como adolescente pero recuerdo poco y al Finnegan's Wake eventualmente llegaré pero lei igualmente lo que ponen al respecto.
Lei Dublinesses y Retrato del artista como adolescente pero recuerdo poco y al Finnegan's Wake eventualmente llegaré pero lei igualmente lo que ponen al respecto.
July 8, 2017
God opsummering og forklaring til når du nu skal til at læse eller har læst Joyce
September 4, 2017
لطيف الكتاب وفِي تلخيص لمسيرة الروائي الأيرلندي الأسطورة.. حديث وتحليل عن يوليسيز وأهل دبلن وصورة الفنان شابا .. الرسوم المصاحبة ميزته بخفه رغم ثقل الموضوع
December 20, 2018
مقدمة سلسة ومفيدة لجويس وأعماله مع رسومات توضيحية ممتعة .. وربط ذكي بين حياته الشخصية وبين أعماله. الترجمة- أيضا- جيدة جدا.
أول كتاب أقرأه في السلسلة ولن يكون الأخير!
أول كتاب أقرأه في السلسلة ولن يكون الأخير!
January 29, 2020
Solid, interesting introduction to the life and works of James Joyce. Worth reading if you are interested in the man and short on time.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews