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Readalongs
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Ulysses by James Joyce Readalong & Re-Readalongs (2014, 2016); Audio Listen-Along (2017)
I agree, Terri, I'm getting a stronger picture of Stephen by listening. The audio brings another dimension to the characters. I don't get a good handle on Haines, though. His part seems even smaller than when reading the story.It seems that my commutes are approx. 1 CD long, which should work out pretty good.
Finished Telemachus. So far, the audio is quite enjoyable. It's easier to recognize the internal stream of consciousness. I liked Episode 3 (the walk on the beach). It brought back beach walks that I've taken (although Stephen's beach is grainier and more shelled than those around here). I could picture the beach, the glimpses of people, dogs, houses, the waves (I really liked the descriptions of the water as it waved in and out).
I'm off of work now for a week so won't be listening to Ulysses. I'm looking forward to meeting up with Leopold Bloom upon my return to work.
Petra, I'm glad you're still enjoying the experience of listening, so am I. I've relistened to the first two chapters, as I've found it easy to go over these while I've been washing dishes. Again I've noticed different things than my first time of reading. In Nestor, I picked up more on Sargent, who seemed quite a pitiful character, reminding Stephen of himself and Mr Deasy, who wants his letter published. I'd forgotten the letter stemmed from this chapter. I'm going to re-listen to Proteus this weekend, which was one of my favourite chapters in print, but on my first time of listening I got even more lost in the stream of consciousness.
I'm still on the first chapter, primarily because I keep forgetting to have both my iPod and earphones together when I want to listen.I quite like Buck Mulligan. I think if Stephen was more assertive, then Buck wouldn't take so much advantage.
I noticed the language much more in the audio. There was a lovely bit of alliteration, though I can't identify where!
As an example, 'gravely disgirdled' has a much more musical ring to it, when I hear it read, than when I read it myself.
I'm finding the same thing Gill, listening to it being read makes me notice how lyrical it is.
I've gone back and listened to sections again, as well. The narration has a very lyrical feel to it. I'm also noticing that phrases seem to fit in better in audio, while we puzzled over them last year. The "modality of ????" phrase at the beginning of Proteus, for example. In the narration, it's said and Stephen's thoughts afterwards make it make sense. I didn't get that when reading.
Pink, the Proteus section was well done, I thought. Stephen goes through his guilt thoughts and has his observations....and it could be followed logistically.
By the end, Stephen seemed somewhat reconciled to his situation. That's not an impression I've gotten from reading about Stephen and made him seem rather less pathetic.
Gill, I agree about Buck. He now comes across as someone who will push the limits of any relationship or situation he encounters. The boundaries are set by the other person and Stephen hasn't set the boundaries.
It's interesting to see these different aspects of the characters.
Hey, I just stumbled across this thread and hope to join you (again). Last year I just found it too overwhelming, although I had several reference books, etc. I do have the audible collection, so I plan to catch up and see if I do better this time.
Welcome, Nancy!
I've listened to the first 3 sections, but I plan to re-listen tonight. It's such a pleasure to hear the words aloud.
I've listened to the first 3 sections, but I plan to re-listen tonight. It's such a pleasure to hear the words aloud.
Nancy, I'm glad you're joining us! I'm so happy that everyone else is enjoying the listening experience as much as I am!
I have to say that I didn't much like Proteus as audio. I think the narrator's voice is wonderful, but, maybe because of that, I found it difficult to pay attention to what was going on. I don't recollect finding that when I was reading it.Actually, it was a bit of an odd experience for me. The narration continued straight on at the end of Nestor, and it took me some time to realise I was on the next section.
I thought Nestor was wonderful and would happily listen to it again.
I felt the same Gill. I preferred Telemachus and Nestor on audio, but Proteus in print. I think it's that the stream of consciousness writing drifts over me too much while listening. Should be fun for some of the upcoming chapters...
Well, my loan from Overdrive has expired now. So I need to go back onto the waiting list again.
I hope it becomes available again for you soon.I listened to Calypso a couple of days ago and thought this chapter worked well on audiobook. It's the first appearance of the female narrator in the role of Molly, which seemed strange at first to have another voice to listen to, but I think she did a good job with the part, although it was quite brief.
This made me laugh:"In order for a very long novel to get away with long, cruel sessions of boredom-torture, it has to commit, every so often, an act of kindness such as the counterfeit cash set piece in The Recognitions. This is why Ulysses is so deeply loved by so many readers—as well it should be—while Finnegans Wake has been read almost exclusively by Joyce scholars (of whom I’m tempted to think as the Patty Hearsts of literature). After the grueling ordeal of the “Scylla and Charybdis” episode, in which Stephen stands around in the National Library for dozens of pages boring everyone to damn-near-literal tears with his theories about the provenance of Hamlet, we are given the unrestrained pleasure of the “Wandering Rocks” episode. Ulysses might treat us like crap for seemingly interminable stretches of time, but it extends just enough in the way of writerly benevolence to keep us onside."
- from http://www.themillions.com/2011/05/th...
Haha, that's excellent! Thanks Petra :)
I commend you all for going again with this!
Great link, Petra. I laughed out loud.
I listened to Hades this evening and liked it a lot. I'm finding the whole flow of the book easier this time around. I don't know if hearing it out loud makes a difference, or if I'm just more familiar with the book. The humor is much easier for me to understand, and I love the back and forth of the conversations. In this section, Bloom's grief was almost palpable. I got the intensity of his feelings more by listening than by reading.
I'm loving the musical interludes!
I listened to Hades this evening and liked it a lot. I'm finding the whole flow of the book easier this time around. I don't know if hearing it out loud makes a difference, or if I'm just more familiar with the book. The humor is much easier for me to understand, and I love the back and forth of the conversations. In this section, Bloom's grief was almost palpable. I got the intensity of his feelings more by listening than by reading.
I'm loving the musical interludes!
In Hades I noted the appearance of the man in the mackintosh--is this the first time he's mentioned?
Terri, I think that's his first appearance, when Hynes is taking names of the mourners and Bloom indicates the man in the mackintosh, which is written down as his surname.
Hades is the funeral scene? Then yes. As Pink says, his name is reported as MacIntosh by the reporter when Bloom is asked his name at the funeral. He's an interesting (non)character in this book. LOL!
I'm back to work tomorrow and will start listening again this week. Looking forward to catching up (again).
Well, whoever borrowed the audio version of Ulysses from the library after me obviously didn't get very far with it! They've returned it already and, lucky me I've got it back again. I've just listened to Calypso, and loved it. I thought the cat was great. Did you say there was a female narrator Pink? I didn't notice that, oops!
Re Paddy Dignam, who is mentioned in this chapter. The narrator pronounces his surname differently from what I thought, in that the first part of it rhymes with sign. Is that what other people expected? I assumed the first part of it was Dig.
There are lots of things that I'm noticing in the audio, that I've either forgotten or I didn't notice when I was reading it. I wonder what it would be like listening to it on audio for the first time through? I mean without actually having read it first.
Oh yes, and I'm really enjoying the narrator has an Irish accent. Did anyone else notice that the word thumb is pronounced tumb by him?
Lucky for you getting the audiobook back so soon! Yes Molly's part was definitely played by a woman, according to audible it's Marcella Riordan. I'm enjoying all of the pronounciations, which is good, as that's why I got the audiobook in the first place. Though I didn't notice the pronounciation of Dignam, but I'd also assumed it was Dig-nam.I'm finding the whole experience of listening completely different to reading. I'm not making notes, so it's hard to remember specifics, but I'm definitely noticing things I didn't pick up on before. When Stephen or Bloom are thinking to themselves, it's also easier to differentiate between their internal monologues and their speech. I noticed this especially when Bloom bumped into somebody (I can't remember who) in the street and wanted to get away, but stood engaged in conversation and his own thoughts simultaneously.
I've finished Hades and will listen to Aeolus tomorrow.
I just finished Lotus Eaters. I, also, am finding it much easier listening, especially for the difference between the internal monologue and speech.3rd time round it's often like remeeting an old friend.
I found the section where McCoy was working up to asking Bloom to put him on the mourners' list was so funny - and realistic.
I also noticed, this time around, the actual bit where Lyons thinks he's been given a racing tip. This becomes almost a running gag through the story!
Gill wrote: "I also noticed, this time around, the actual bit where Lyons thinks he's been given a racing tip. This becomes almost a running gag through the story!..."I noticed the first mention of the racing tip this time around, when Bloom tries to get rid of the paper by saying he was going to throw it away. I'd have missed these sort of references the first time, now I'm on the lookout for the next mention!
I listened to Aeolus yesterday. I actually had to listen a couple of times, as the first attempt I was laying in my garden chair, in the pleasant spring sunshine and I kept drifting off to sleep! So I tried again later, while washing dishes and hoovering (with headphones!) and I think some more of it sunk in!
I started listening to Calypso this morning. Digman is pronounced Dig-nam on my recording. I was looking forward to hearing Digh-nam. LOL!
I found Bloom's ogling of the woman in the butcher shop to me less ogle-y than when reading it. (ogle-y is not a word but.....)
(edited to correct Dignam's name)
The things one notices while listening!1. Father Conmee makes an appearance in Lotus Eaters! My memory says we don't meet him until the tram episode (Wandering Rocks?). He's wearing heavy soled, sturdy boots under his lace and vestments. I loved that picture in my head.
2. Bloom's ponderings about the sacrificial bread was interesting. He's pulling the tradition close in an affectionate way and pushing it away at the same time.
3. The host is wet? Father Conmee shakes a few drops of liquid from the host before placing it on a tongue. In my day, the host was dry.
4. I only got the reference to a racing tip because of the above comments, which kept me aware. I got what happened but I missed what the alleged hint was.
Like you all, I'm really enjoying the audio version of Ulysses.
Although I'm not listening with you , I'm saw this article and thought that this could be the next way to "read " Ulysses- lol !http://www.cbc.ca/news/entertainment/...
Haha, so should we get ready for our 2018Thanks for sharing Angela :)
That is great! We'd have a lot of fun with that game. Maybe it'll be somewhere that we could meet. LOL!Thanks, Angela.
Can we all have avatars from the book? Who do youse all want to choose?
That is a hard question, Gill. Will have to give it some thought.
Angela, thanks for that amazing link! I'm definitely up for this!
I'll be listening to Lestrygonians tonight. I'm finding it almost relaxing to listen to the book over reading it. I don't feel that I'm over-analyzing it, as I sometimes felt with the written word.
I'll be listening to Lestrygonians tonight. I'm finding it almost relaxing to listen to the book over reading it. I don't feel that I'm over-analyzing it, as I sometimes felt with the written word.
I haven't seen that before, but it looks fantastic. I'm going to take a proper look later. I'm currently listening to Scylla and Charybdis which I'm really enjoying. Last year when I read this I hadn't yet read Hamlet, now I have, so I can understand all of the references a lot more. I can also see the connections to Stephen and Bloom.
I'm halfway through Hades, will try to finish it tomorrow.
So am I, Gill. I will continue to listen on the commute home and may finish it (with audio, I never quite know where I am within an episode).
Something I've just noticed in Hades. Someone comments that Bloom used to work at Hely's the Stationers. Isnt that the name on the billboards that are being carried by 5 men in a different section? (I think the one where they are all walking round Dublin)Also, it sounds like Bloom has a newspaper with him. I'm assuming that's a different newspaper from the one that he got rid of at the end of the previous section?
I missed both of those things Gill. Bloom definitely threw his newspaper away earlier, as I'm reading The Wandering Rocks and it's just floated past in the river!
Just finished Hades. What a lot of individuals these men are. Joyce is such an astute observer of people's habits and foibles eg can't remember who, there's a man who avoids contributing to the collection for Dignam's family.Whoever said women gossip, obviously hasn't met this group of guys!
I recall something about him working for a stationary place but not the actual name of the place. He didn't get rid of the newspaper in the earlier scene. What's-his-name (the guy who thought he had gotten a race tip) gave it back. The wording went something like "he draped/threw the pages back over his (Bloom's) arm and left". Then Bloom wrapped the soap in it (I think).
I'm going to keep an ear open to find out when he loses his paper.
Oh now I'm getting confused about the newspaper. I thought he threw it away earlier and it was this newspaper in the river, but now I'm not so sure (there was a mention of a crumpled throwaway, floating down the Liffey river in Wandering Rocks, but perhaps it wasn't the paper at all) I also thought Bloom wrapped the soap in the newspaper too, but it can't be both ways! The newspaper certainly crops up a lot though.
Gill, you're right.....Bloom did work at Hely's. Bloom was contemplating things as the group walked through the cemetery to the gates, after the funeral. Just after his thoughts about "every grave should have a gramophone so that we don't forget the voices of the dead", he remembers his time working at Hely's. Nice catch!
Now I'm confused, too, Pink. Maybe I'll dig out that CD and try to find that conversation again. The newspaper does seem to be a much mentioned item. LOL! Joyce is messing with us again.
Funny, the things we notice when listening that we don't notice when reading.
Aeolus is hard to listen to. The snippets don't flow well while commuting. One thing I am noticing that I think I missed previously is that Stephen is being offered a new career or opportunity in the newspaper world. He's been asked to write something and a couple of people have made comments about how he could contribute to the newspaper. I'm not sure if Stephen is hearing them, though, so it's a good sign of being at a crossroads.
In Lestrygonians:I noticed the mention of "gone with the wind" and "the kings of Tara", which (naturally) reminded me of Margaret Mitchell's Gone with the Wind.
Since the two books couldn't be related, I looked up Kings of Tara and found that this was a title used way back in Ancient Ireland. It would have been the equivalent of saying "His Right Honorable".
Margaret Mitchell, as far as I know, had no connections with Ireland so I don't think she used Tara with the Kings of Tara in mind. I just find the mention of both "gone with the wind" and "Tara" in both books interesting.
I'm partway through Aeolus. It may be the narrator's stressing them, but I'm picking up on many more references relating to wind (in all its forms!) than I have previously.And I've heard where someone is using dental floss! How strange that is, I have no memory of it being about in my childhood. I thought it was something recent.
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I started listening last night and absolutely love it. I agree with you, Pink, that I feel sorrier for Stephen than I did before. There's an immediacy to listening, and the characters become real more quickly for me. I'm finding it easy to understand. I like the fact that since I don't have the text in front of me I don't worry about catching every single word and reference. And the language is so beautiful!