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

[Pink]

No, sorry, I should have been clearer, I meant you have no music! I was surprised it was missing for you. I love the musical interludes.

[Petra]

Gill, it would be great to be able to have these lists printed out somewhere. They really are fantastic.

I don't think I realized when reading this how often "the rose of Castille" and "U.P. ....up!" are mentioned. There must be a background joke or reason for the continued mention of these.

The recording I'm listening to has no music between episodes either. The only female narrator will be Molly in Episode 18.

[Gill]

U.P. ....up is to do with an anonymous piece of paper or letter that somebody got earlier on in the book, Petra. Is it Breen?

[Gill]

So, if you really want a diversion! Here is a link to an article about what U.P ..... up might mean.

http://www.jjon.org/joyce-s-allusions...

I can't remember whether or not I've looked at this website before. Seems to me I could while away a very happy few hours, days, years! Looking at things on here .

[Petra]

Oh dear.....I was afraid there would be a rabbit hole in the Rose and UP......

Gill, both the Rose and UP came up somewhere at the beginning sections of the book as jokes and/or general comments. It's their continued repetition that makes me think there's a Joycean reason or two having them in the book....something I'm not aware of.

I'm almost afraid to look at that link......rabbit hole!!! :D

[Petra]

Just looked.....Gill, can you check the link, please. It doesn't work. Thanks!

[Gill]

Petra wrote: "Just looked.....Gill, can you check the link, please. It doesn't work. Thanks!"

That's a real rabbit hole! I'll check, Petra.

[Gill]

It works for me, Petra.

[Gill]

I've started Ithaca, with its questions and answers sequence.
Joyce is such a joy, I've just been listening to the question and answer about what are the advantages of shaving at night. Pure brilliance I reckon!

[Petra]

The dead hand writes on the wall, "Bloom is a cod".

Vardaman states, "My mother is a fish".


Were Joyce & Faulkner "chum"my? LOL!

[Gill]

That's great, Petra!

[Gill]

How strange, I've just looked at the little picture that goes with the copy that I'm listening to, and I've realised that in fact it's being read by John Lee. Not Jim Norton after all!

Yet the details that are given for the book, and the reviews are of the Jim Norton version. At least that would explain why there is no female voice taking place anywhere within the copy that I'm listening to.

[Pink]

That's funny Gill, at least you're enjoying it. So is that the same version as Petra's listening to?

I'm on Ithaca now, but I'm going away for the weekend tomorrow, so I'll probably get back to it next week.

[Gill]

Oh, maybe it is, Pink. Only thing is, I thought hers was a very long version.

I've reached Molly's soliloquy. I need to get finished by Sunday night, because that's when it goes back to the library. So I guess I'll be listening to that over the weekend.

I was looking forward to hearing a woman speaking Molly's part, but I guess I was going to be a man after all!

[Gill]

Maybe what I need to do next year is listen to a different audio version! Oh no, I do hope that I'm joking!

[Pink]

No Gill, how could we get through spring without Joyce!

I'm looking forward to hearing Molly's chapter too. She's been in a couple of chapters so far, but only small parts with the female narrator.

It sounds like we're listening to three different versions, but luckily we're all happy with them.

[Petra]

That's funny, Gill, but explains the few differences from Pink's recording.
I'm listening to the 40-CD recording by Donal Donnelly and Miriam Healy-Louie (as Molly in Episode 18 only). It's a fantastic recording, I have to say. Very long.
I am getting close to Disc 30....I'm at either Disc 28 or 29 now. Almost 75% done!

I'm still on Circe....I think I'm on the 3rd Circe disc already and nowhere near the end, I think. I hope to finish Circe by Friday. I'd like to start a new episode on Monday.

[Petra]

Gill wrote: "Maybe what I need to do next year is listen to a different audio version! Oh no, I do hope that I'm joking!"

LOL! I'm not sure how we'll top this year's reading. Oh boy.....I do hope you're joking.

[Petra]

Maybe if we do another audio listen next year, I'll look for a shorter, faster version. It would be interesting to hear how this plays out when spoken faster. I like the pacing of the narration with the recording I have. It's hard to imagine following it at almost double the speed.

[Pink]

Haha, that sounds like planning for 2018 already....

[Petra]

Oh crap...... who's got the time? :D

[Pink]

I'm on the final chapter now and I'm really looking forward to hearing from Molly again. I'll post again when I'm finished.

Gill, did you manage to finish before it was due back at the library again?

[Gill]

Thanks for asking, Pink. Yes I just got it finished just in time. Phew!

I very much enjoy listening to Penelope. But I do think it would've enhanced it, if it was a woman reading it rather than a man.

I'm looking forward to hearing how that final section goes for you Pink, when you're finished. Good luck and enjoy!

[Gill]

Now here's a thing!:

http://www.bloomsdayfestival.ie/

[Pink]

Oh that looks so good! I remember looking at the festival line up last year and wanting to go. Any plans to attend Gill?

[Gill]

Certainly not this year, Pink. It would be good one year, though.......

[Pink]

Same here. Maybe we'll make it one day :)

[[deleted user]]

Just wanted to let you know that I had a minor health crisis so have been away for about 10 days. I'm still on Circe, but I'll finish eventually. I'm still getting a lot out of it.

[Pink]

Thanks for updating us Terri, I was wondering how you were getting on. Sorry to hear that you've had some health problems, I hope everything is okay now. I really enjoyed Circe, the whole experience of listening has been so rewarding for me. There's no hurry to finish, it's better to take some time over this book anyway.

[Pink]

I'm halfway through listening to Penelope and loving it. Although I'm wondering why I don't remember it being so rude!

[Gill]

That's what I thought as well, Pink! I was wondering if the reader was making some of it up actually. But I realised that they couldn't be!

[Pink]

Yes it seems to be non stop filth! Haha! Perhaps I wiped it from my memory, as I don't remember it at all. I've got just over an hour left, so I'll finish this tomorrow now.

[Petra]

I've missed the last 11 updates!! Sorry, Gill and Pink!

I'm right at the end of Episode 16 (the taxi shelter) and am enjoying it quite a bit. The banter is fun.
What I noticed is that there's a lot of talk about extramarital relationships. Also, Bloom taking care of Stephen is rather touching. He's quite concerned about him and wants to keep him safe.

The two are walking to Bloom';s house now, so I should reach the end on my commute home today.

[Petra]

Gill wrote: "Now here's a thing!:

http://www.bloomsdayfestival.ie/"



Wouldn't it be lovely to take part one day!
Are either of you considering this one year?

...never mind....just read your responses and you would consider it one day. I hope it happens for one or both of you. We should have a representative there at some point; we've put a lot of time into this book. LOL!
I'd love to go one day.

[Petra]

Terri wrote: "Just wanted to let you know that I had a minor health crisis so have been away for about 10 days. I'm still on Circe, but I'll finish eventually. I'm still getting a lot out of it."

Terri, sorry to hear this. Hope things are better now.
Glad to have you back. I'm just barely ahead of you, so no worries....plus we're always here.

[Pink]

I finished this morning. I really enjoyed listening to Penelope, especially by the female narrator, who read in a very sleepy, dreamy style. It continued to shock me in how sexual it was, which I still didn't remember. It definitely showed off some of Joyce's fetishes with bottoms etc. At times I was pulled out of Molly's narrative, as when she was talking about sexual activities it seemed more like a man's thoughts, than a woman's, which just made me think these were Joyce's musings and not so much Molly's. Otherwise, it was a great ending to the book.

Side note- I've read the first chapter of Finnegans Wake and we've already had some indecent exposure and a lost letter to keep track of, which reminded me of the newspaper in Ulysses. I'm back down the rabbit hole already!

[Petra]

I'm enjoying Episode 17. The questions & answers are perfect for commuting. When I need a short break, I listen to a song or two on the radio.

I'm looking forward to Molly's section soon.

[[deleted user]]

I had a marathon listening session yesterday and through the night. I finished Circe (loved it), Eumaeus, and Ithaca. In Eumaeus, when Stephen was describing his meal at home with his siblings, and the cat eating egg shells and fish heads, the poverty of the home really hit home with me. I also noticed the line "Every country gets the government it deserves." That kind of hit home. I was half nauseated (residual symptoms) while I was listening, and some of the more earthy segments got to me. (I'm thinking of the description of the turds.) I was quite comfortable with the catechism format of Ithaca. I'm very much looking forward to listening to Penelope tonight. This audio experience has been an outstanding experience for me.

A funny coincidence: I finished listening to Circe on the same date I finished reading it exactly a year ago.

[Pink]

You're getting on great Terri. What a coincidence you finished Circe on the same day! I'm glad you're enjoying the listening experience too :)

[Petra]

Wow, Terri, that's a marathon!

I tuned into that line as well. It seems so apropos.

Nice coincidence with the dates!

Guess I'll be the last one listening. I might finish Ithaca today. I'll then probably wait until Monday to start Penelope.

[[deleted user]]

Petra, I have one day left on my audiobook, so that's why I'm finishing so quickly. :)

[Petra]

That would do it. LOL!

Ithaca just ended as I pulled into the driveway today. I really enjoyed this episode. I want to reread just this episode again, maybe soon. There's a lot of details in these answers.

I'm itching to start Penelope.

[Petra]

I'm enjoying the narration by Miriam Healy-Louie in Penelope. She's got a soft, lilting, Irish-accented voice that brings longing, disappointment, lustiness, love and a touch of anger to Molly.

The Moonstone was the first of Wilkie Collins' books that both Molly and I read.

[[deleted user]]

I finished Penelope. The narrator in my version is Marcella Riordan. Her voice is soft and sensual and purring. I hadn't remembered all the overt sexuality in this part. Bloom's insights on menstruation were perceptive for a man. One part that struck me was when Molly was talking about going to a doctor. How much courage it must have taken for women to submit themselves to those examinations! And I thought Marcella Riordan did a great job building up to the climactic ending.

Listening to this audiobook was a great experience for me. It deepened my appreciation and understanding of the book. And the group support added immensely to the experience. Thanks to all. :)

[Pink]

I'm glad you enjoyed it so much Terri, me too! I listened to the same audiobook as you and also though Marcella Riordan done a great job with Molly's part.

[Gill]

It's interesting that none of us 3 had noticed the sexuality before. Do you think we just blotted it out when we read it?

[Pink]

It is strange. I find it hard to believe I'd blocked so much of it out, but it appears I did. If someone had asked me before, which chapter was the most sexually graphic, I would not have said Penelope. Definitely changed my mind now!

[Gill]

I'm a bit envious of all three of you having a female narrator for the final chapter. But no, I'm not about to listen to it again, with a female narrator, at this moment!

[Pink]

Well, you could always listen to that version next year! :)

[Gill]

What a suggestion, Pink!