Ulysses question

I recently read this about 15 years after attempting (and failing) to as a teenager. I want to preface this with a statements about how great this book is. Ultimately, disregarding the slow start, it is entertaining. I found the last half rewarded a careful reading of the first half. So don't skim or skip passages. Many seemingly irrelevant details become very relevant. Also, the book is actually very funny. I was surprised and pleased that it became an increasingly comic and surreal novel. Finally, the ending was probably the most cathartic and emotionally charged ending I've read since Remains of the Day; a very rewarding ending.

So here is how I got through it:

1. I would normally never write in a novel. But, I got a cheap copy and highlighted and underlined references I didn't get (literary, historical, or obscure words), character names, and passages that seemed potentially important or meaningful. I did do some research as I read, but it wasn't an exhausting amount.

2. I have read a lot more literature since I first attempted Ulysses. Surprisingly Hamlet and Goethe's Faust were probably more helpful than the Odyssey. There is a chapter that is almost entirely about Hamlet and various references to Hamlet throughout. I can't imagine that chapter making any sense to someone unfamiliar with Hamlet. So, read Hamlet (or watch one of the films- I think the best one is the Richard Burton version from the sixties). Also, the Circe chapter is an obvious parody of Walpurgis Night from Faust. I imagine it was more satisfying or at least more digestible than it would have been if I had not read Faust. But, unlike Hamlet, I'm not sure you really need to read it first. I found it helpful.

[I also believe that there is an important parallel between Hamlet and Ulysses being developed throughout the book that suggestions that Bloom is the spiritual rebirth or father of Stephen through the mechanism of metempsychosis. This is also suggested by the structure of the Odysses that suggestions Bloom is Odyssius and Stephen is his son. There are also obvious parallels between Bloom and Faust]

3. When I signed up for Audible I got the audiobook for free as part of the deal. Although I didn't use it much, I did use it for a few rough spots and it broke up the task of actually reading this heavy book into reading and occasionally listening. Again, it made it more digestible.

4. This might be the most helpful thing I did. I printed out an extensive character list (that included some notes about each character) and glued it into the first few pages. I occasionally glanced at it when I lost my way. It sort of held my hand or was the anchor when I felt lost.

Do you have any advice or just want to talk about Ulysses?