Andrew Pruitt answers “I have tried reading this book twice but...”

Deepak Pitaliya asked this question about Ulysses:

I have tried reading this book twice but could not get past 30-40 pages. I even read Iliad and Odyssey before starting this book as the book is supposed to draw some parallel with Odyssey. Is it readable?

Andrew Pruitt It is not only readable, but re-readable and that might go to answering your question: in order to read Ulysses you have to have read Ulysses! That mi…moreIt is not only readable, but re-readable and that might go to answering your question: in order to read Ulysses you have to have read Ulysses! That might seem circular; it is. There is no work of literature like Ulysses, for many reasons not least of which is its scope. It will span the lowliest bodily function and Latin chants and everything in between. Its stream of consciousness will begin without notice (just wait until Stephen has been drinking later in the night) but you must KEEP READING. Read all the way through—much of it may not make sense. Then read again, and again. I promise by the third reading, you will, like many of us, become obsessed. There’s all that AND because it’s a phenomenon unlike any other, they make half a dozen guidebooks which will walk you through the plot, metaphors, and all of the unknown words or phrases that trip readers up. (less)

flag

About Goodreads Q&A

Ask and answer questions about books!

You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.

See Featured Authors Answering Questions

Learn more