Rene Quezada 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?

Rene Quezada You can and should read the Shmoop Summaries of each episode after reading the episode. Understand, and accept that you will not understand everything…moreYou can and should read the Shmoop Summaries of each episode after reading the episode. Understand, and accept that you will not understand everything, most, or maybe even half of the text on your first reading. The Shmoop summaries are fantastic, concise, and simplify everything into the normal linear narrative style that Joyce worked so hard to avoid and reject. They're written as bullet points. Also read each episode individually, and if you can take a break in between, each episode is written in slightly or even vastly different style which makes the novel more freeform jazz than it does verse-chorus-verse pop song.

Here you go... Start Here:

http://www.shmoop.com/ulysses-joyce/e...(less)

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Deepak Pitaliya Thanks Rene, will try one more time once I finish present book "Kafka on the shore". ...more
Sep 04, 2014 09:59PM

Rav Wow. Thanks for that link.
I've been referring to the Joyce Project, and it has had me walking round in circles. ...more
May 19, 2021 09:36AM

Hilary Thanks Rene. Reading while listening on Audible with your recommendation of the Shmoop Summaries has enabled me to proceed !
Feb 23, 2022 11:45AM

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