Ulysses by James Joyce Readalong & Re-Readalongs (2014, 2016); Audio Listen-Along (2017) Showing 751-800 of 1,985

[Angela M]

Petra , thanks so much for coordinating this ! You did such a great time last year and I was hoping you'd agree to lead this again! Thanks !

[Gill]

Angela M wrote: "Petra , thanks so much for coordinating this ! You did such a great time last year and I was hoping you'd agree to lead this again! Thanks !"

I was hoping too, Angela. I'm so relieved!

[Petra]

You guys!!!.....I'm blushing :D

I just hope I can find new and interesting things to share this year.

I'm happy to help lead this. You will all be here to keep things active and entertaining.

[Cosmic]

I am interested in reading the Illiad and the Odyssey too before beginning Ulysses....so that means they will be my reading goals for November and December.

[Leslie]

Cosmic wrote: "I am interested in reading the Illiad and the Odyssey too before beginning Ulysses....so that means they will be my reading goals for November and December."

I would like to reread The Iliad -- do you have a translation already selected Cosmic?

[Petra]

When I searched for a translation of The Odyssey, I looked for the "look inside" feature of amazon and compared the same passage from different translations to find which sounded and read the best to me. It's surprising how the different translations are both very alike and very different. It was the first time I'd done a comparison.
I settled on Richard Lattimore's translation:
The Odyssey of Homer and really enjoyed it. I'm glad I chose it.

I'm sure, though, that I would have enjoyed other versions as well.

[Petra]

Cosmic wrote: "I am interested in reading the Illiad and the Odyssey too before beginning Ulysses....so that means they will be my reading goals for November and December."

Nice goal, Cosmic. I hope you comment here on your thoughts. I liked both of these books.

[Leslie]

I am fairly sure that the Lattimore translation is what I first read years ago & I have very positive memories of reading Homer :)

[Cosmic]

Petra wrote: "When I searched for a translation of The Odyssey, I looked for the "look inside" feature of amazon and compared the same passage from different translations to find which sounded and read the best ..."

Thank you! I have Alexander Pope's version which i am interested in comparing to other versions. I will keep you posted.

[Cosmic]

This is a great discussion about the different translations. Lattimore looks like the winner.

http://www.librarything.com/topic/9190

[Cosmic]

I decided to go with The Iliad.
This is probably the one that Joyce was familiar with, hence the Roman names over the Greek.

Although as I am thinking about it there maybe more to it than that.

[Petra]

This is from Re Joyce and ties in nicely with our discussion of The Iliad and The Odyssey:

"Odysseus was, even quite early in life, Joyce's favourite epic hero, and, knowing something of Joyce's temperament, one can see why. .....Physical violence was repugnant to Joyce - there is very little of it in his books - but he responded readily enough to more intelligent ways of overcoming an enemy - organisation, coolness, tact, cunning. These qualities are all to be found in Odysseus, and to them we can add various endearing imperfections of character. He longs to get home but he is not averse to fornication with nymphs and goddesses. ....(He swore an oath to protect Helen) yet when Helen is carried off to Troy he tries to evade his obligations by pretending to be mad. Once launched on the expedition he proves wise and cunning in counsel and prudently brave in war. He is more likeable than Achilles and Ajax, he is more human, more Bloom-like. The Iliad gives us a sharp picture of him."

Perhaps, when it comes to trying to understand and know Bloom, The Iliad is the book to look into.

[Petra]

Just for a chuckle:


Joyce may have had the gift of writing, but he certainly didn't have the gift of gab:
When he met Marcel Proust in 1922 at a dinner party, the rest of the party-goers listened anxiously to what the two literary geniuses would chat about. The eavesdroppers were likely disappointed, as Proust and Joyce spent the entire conversation talking about their ailments—Joyce had constant headaches and eye trouble; Proust's stomach was giving him troubles. Then they both admitted neither of them had read the other's works.
As the story goes, they shared a cab on the way home and Proust scampered out of the cab without paying his half of the fare.

[Cosmic]

Petra wrote: "When it comes to trying to understand and know Bloom, The Iliad is the book to look into.
.."


I am going to keep this in mind while reading the Iliad in November.

[Gill]

I've been looking briefly at these notes, which I think maybe you mentioned last time round, Petra.

http://pers-www.wlv.ac.uk/~fa1871/joy...

I didn't even read the sections last time that linked up with the Odyssey. Now I've read the Odyssey, I can see that the connections may become a bit clearer!

[Gill]

I've also read Portrait of .... since last time, so I think that will give a bit more background for me.

[Petra]

You're right...I did link to that site last time, Gill. It's detailed....probably more detailed than most Ulysses readers get into it.
I tried to follow some of the connections last time. Colours and Organs were interesting to follow through some of the episodes. It made me see how concentrated and focussed Joyce must have been to include all of these aspects while writing. It must have been a little bit like herding cats or keeping spinning plates going or juggling a dozen balls at once.
I'll probably be nerdy enough to do this again on our 2016 read and see if I pick up on more of the themes.

Thanks for bringing that back to our attention.

I haven't read any other of Joyce's works but I have read Ulysses Bores Me So: First Reactions to Joyce's Masterpiece (which was fun) and Re Joyce up to the Finnegans Wake section. I stopped because there are many spoilers of Joyce's works throughout....but I think I'm going to finish Re Joyce because it's interesting and there really aren't any spoilers to tell about Joyce's works. Anything I read about plot can only help me if I ever get around to reading Finnegan's Wake.

[Gill]

I like the look of Inventing Ireland, but I don't know when I would have time to read it. I wonder how easy it is to dip into chapters, as and when?

[Gill]

Petra wrote: "You're right...I did link to that site last time, Gill. It's detailed....probably more detailed than most Ulysses readers get into it.
I tried to follow some of the connections last time. Colours ..."

I've looked at several books, Petra, but some of them aren't available on Kindle, and I'm less impressed with the ones that are.

[Gill]

I don't recollect looking at the Cliffnotes on Ulysses before, but they seem clear and informative:

http://www.cliffsnotes.com/literature...

I'll be looking at them this time, I think.

[Geoffreyjen]

Am I too late to the party? I have been reading James Joyce's Ulysses for the past 40 years, off and on, I dip into it every year for some sections. I have read it through once, a long time ago... I am also very interested in The Iliad & The Odyssey which I have also read in various forms and summaries, as well as other derivations. I haven't read The Penelopiad, but I have read parts of The Odyssey: A Modern Sequel by Nikos Kazantzakis. I will read back through your 16 pages of posts, but at the moment I'm not sure where to fit myself in :-)

[Petra]

Welcome, Geoffrey! You're just in time. We'll be starting our re-read of Ulysses in January. Until then we're full of banter and pre-reading of other works, either by Joyce, The Odyssey, The Iliad or any other Ulysses/Odyssey inspired read.

I have a copy of The Odyssey: A Modern Sequel. Maybe I'll dig that one out before this read.

I'm glad to have you join us.

[Geoffreyjen]

Geoffrey wrote: "Am I too late to the party? I have been reading James Joyce's Ulysses for the past 40 years, off and on, I dip into it every year for some sections. I have read it throu..."
Okay, so now I realize you're just getting ready to start a new readalong on this. That is soooo awesome! Count me in! I've never before met anyone who likes this book as much as I do :-)

[Petra]

Gill wrote: "I like the look of Inventing Ireland, but I don't know when I would have time to read it. I wonder how easy it is to dip into chapters, as and when?"

That looks really interesting. If you get it, let me know your thoughts on it, please. You've got me considering this book now. :D

[Petra]

Geoffrey wrote: "Okay, so now I realize you're just getting ready to start a new readalong on this. That is soooo awesome! Count me in! I've never before met anyone who likes this book as much as I do :-)

..."

Now you've met us. We really enjoy our reads of Ulysses and welcome everyone who likes it, too, or wants to get to know it. :D

[Geoffreyjen]

I've also dug up my copy of the The Orestia by Aeschylus and have bought a copy of the The Argonautica by Apollonius of Rhodes. I don't expect others to do this, it's challenging enough reading Homer and Joyce, but I think the reading in related Greek stories is also interesting background to Joyce, who must have had some familiarity with other works than Homer's.

[Gill]

Has anyone seen this website before? It didn't seem very straightforward to begin with, but I think I've got the hang of it now.
(Where it says 'in the top section of the box'it means the list of chapters in the middle of the left hand side)
http://www.michaelgroden.com/notes/

[Pink]

I had a quick look and that looked complex, but probably quite useful.

[Petra]

Just had a very quick look. Very nice!!! Great find, Gill.

I laughed at this:
"Early printings of the book say that Mulligan "went over the parapet" instead of "went over to the parapet" (1:35, p. 4)."

[Geoffreyjen]

And I laughed at :

" "Does that mean that you have written a great deal?" I said.
"Two sentences," said Joyce."

My wife was a poet, she would struggle for days to produce two sentences, so I can relate.

[Nancy]

I'm totally in to begin Jan. 1st. Have been meaning to read this for years........and years........Have book, book of notes, etc., just been waiting for the right time. Hope I can get through it.

[Gill]

I read it last year for the read along here, Nancy. It was a much easier read than I expected. This is a great group of people to read it with.

[Geoffreyjen]

I've been reading Peter Green's translation of the The Iliad: A New Translation by Peter Green. When I read it years ago I think I read the Pope translation Odyssey of Homer in the English Verse Translation by Alexander Pope. I find the Peter Green translation to be a great deal easier to read and ultimately more interesting than the Pope translation, and am enjoying the re-read immensely. Recommended.

[Gill]

Geoffrey wrote: "I've been reading Peter Green's translation of the The Iliad: A New Translation by Peter Green. When I read it years ago I think I read the Pope translation [book:Ody..."
I used the Richmond Lattimore translations for both the Odyssey and the Iliad, Geoffrey. I enjoyed them, but haven't read them in other translations, so can't compare.

[Geoffreyjen]

I looked into the Lattimore translations. Green, in his preface, lauds it, but notes that Lattimore was attempting to create a translation that respected the written form of the original. Green's translation, which is more recent than Lattimore's, attempts to restore these texts as "declaimable" rather than simple "readable", that is, he is focussed on the sonority of the texts so that they can be read aloud and preserve the sense of sound the originals gave. I find this nuance attractive, and I must admit that reading the text gives precisely this feeling, that one is "listening" to a text rather than simply reading one. I will look into the Lattimore translation when I have finished this one, for comparison.

[Petra]

Nancy, I'm glad you're joining us. Those of us who read it last year had a great time together. I'm sure this year will be just as much fun.

Have you read any Joyce before? Ulysses was my first and is still the only Joyce book I've read. I do plan on reading the others (or trying to....I hear Finnegans Wake is almost impossible) but other books keep jumping in the way.

[Nancy]

I have started Ulysses, Dubliners and Portrait several times, but gave them up. Hope this time I can stick with it. So many other books just get in the way!

[Petra]

We will be reading it slowly, over 6 months. Hopefully that will make the read less daunting for you and give us all time for other books as well.
I'm glad that you're giving this book another try with us.

[Cosmic]

Geoffrey wrote: "I looked into the Lattimore translations. Green, in his preface, lauds it, but notes that Lattimore was attempting to create a translation that respected the written form of the original. Green's t..."

Thank you! I eill look at that text. I realize that i just didn't have the back ground to make reading the Iliad relatable. So i have jumped backwards to Tales of Troy and Greece. I think once the characters are real the Iliad will be more approachable.

[Cosmic]

Also if anyone is interested in reading the Iliad with a group there is one started here. I am sure, Geoffrey, that your comment about the "Green" translation would be welcomed. We are all picking our own path.
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

[Geoffreyjen]

Cosmic wrote: "Also if anyone is interested in reading the Iliad with a group there is one started here. I am sure, Geoffrey, that your comment about the "Green" translation would be welcomed. We are all picking ..."

Thanks Cosmic. I joined the Buddy read!

[Ruth]

Hi all. I would love to join in the read-a-long. I was hoping to read Ulysses this year but found it too daunting. I read Portrait a few years ago but never finished it.
I am drawn to Joyce because my father's birthday was June 16th and the town I live in, in Ireland, was a favourite of Joyce. .. he wrote here when he stayed in the local hotel. They now have a wax work of him and a room named after him. So shame on me for not reading him before , ha ha.
I never do read-a-longs, but I would love to join in this one :-)

[Gill]

Ruth wrote: "Hi all. I would love to join in the read-a-long. I was hoping to read Ulysses this year but found it too daunting. I read Portrait a few years ago but never finished it.
I am drawn to Joyce becaus..."

That's great, Ruth. I'm glad you're joining us.

[Petra]

Glad to have you with us, Ruth. We'll do our best to help you through this one. A read-along is a great way to tackle this one.
How wonderful that you've got this background of Joyce in your town!

[Ruth]

Petra wrote: "Pink, I'm glad that you'll be joining us!

Laura, can I hope that you mean to join us as well? Or did you mean to read The Odyssey only in 2016?

I'm starting to look at my copy of the book and ma..."

Sounds great, I can't wait :)

[Ruth]

Gill wrote: "Ruth wrote: "Hi all. I would love to join in the read-a-long. I was hoping to read Ulysses this year but found it too daunting. I read Portrait a few years ago but never finished it.
I am drawn to..."

Thanks Gill :)

[Ruth]

Petra wrote: "Glad to have you with us, Ruth. We'll do our best to help you through this one. A read-along is a great way to tackle this one.
How wonderful that you've got this background of Joyce in your town!"

Thanks Petra. I don't think I would tackle it on my own. I ever put it 'as a book that scares me 'in one of my reading challenges this year !! Lol.
Looking forward to it :)

[Petra]

Which edition are you reading?
I will be using this one:


I debated getting another copy because I like the covers of these two:
and

I would want a copy with wider margins, though, and I haven't found these in a bookstore to check them out; just on-line.
If you have either of these copies, I'd appreciate hearing about the margins widths. Thanks!

I have our reading schedule ready to post soon. We'll be taking this slow, so to finish our reading on or just before June 16th (Bloomsday). The reading schedule pages is based on the copy of Ulysses that I have. Page numbers/week may vary, depending upon the copy you have.
I hope the slower pace will give us the chance to talk more about the writing, story, our thoughts and also to ask questions or open up a more specified, detailed discussion on some point or another.

[Cosmic]

Petra wrote: "Which edition are you reading?
I will be using this one:


I debated getting another copy because I like the covers of these two:
and [bookc..."

Since some of us may be using a Kindle version would it be possible to post the first sentence of the last paragraph on that page. Or something similar. You may have already thought of this and have a better idea.

Thank you

I was looking at your version on Amazon. The kindle is free. This is the same kindle vesion that I am using. It is nice to have a Kindle version of the book because you can search it!

[Gill]

The trouble is, when you click to the kindle version, it's the project Gutenberg version, so I don't think it is the same as Petra is using. The version I have is this one https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...

Though I don't remember it having any analysis, like it says in the details! I must check that out.

Edited to add, just checked, and definitely no analysis. I winder why it says there is?