Ulysses by James Joyce Buddy Read

[Theresa]

Putting this up to see if any of those who discussed the possibility of a buddy read of Ulysses a few weeks ago are disposed still to join me. My intent is to start May 1 and finish by Bloomsday June 16th, 2022, this year being the 100th Anniversary of its first full publication by Sylvia Beach at Shakespeare & Co., in Paris.

I am reading this paperback edition which I have owned since college when it was required reading for a philosophy and literature class. That was 1974 or 1975. I did not get it fully read in time for that class, and have kept it all these years intending to read it properly. Well, now is the time.

If you join me, or have read it in the past, all progress, discussion, and general conversation about it appreciated.

Ulysses was initially serialized over 2 years in an American journal, with its first publication in book form by Sylvia Beach of Shakespeare & Co., the famous English bookstore, in Paris on February 2, 1922, James Joyce's 40th birthday. To honor its 100th, Shakespeare & Co. is making available for free until June 16th, 2022 a podcast of an ensemble reading of the entire work. Here is a link: https://shakespeareandcompany.com/. Those who like audiobooks might find this the perfect way to listen.

For those of us in or near NYC, The Morgan Library and Museum has a special exhibition: https://www.themorgan.org/exhibitions.... It opens June 3 and there are bound to be some special events tied to the exhibition itself. Might even offer a Bloomsday themed tea in the cafe. I will be checking out the exhibit and any events or teas.

Also in NYC, a theatrical performance of Ulysses is being given at a performance venue called Symphony Space: https://www.symphonyspace.org/events/...

Worth checking out your local bookstores and libraries and even small theater companies to see if any special Bloomsday events planned for this June 16th.

[KateNZ]

Eek. Yes. (Gosh that has come around quickly)

[Theresa]

Oh, and does anyone have any doubt that it fits the May tag, character driven?!

🤔😏😅

[KateNZ]

I have no idea because I have never managed to get past about page 20. If it doesn’t fit ‘character driven’ am I allowed to sulk?

[Theresa]

KateNZ wrote: "I have no idea because I have never managed to get past about page 20. If it doesn’t fit ‘character driven’ am I allowed to sulk?"


Sulking will be mandatory.

[Jen K]

I'm going to try to join! Slightly intimidated but excited.

[Theresa]

@Jen K - I am going to share what our Proust discussion leader said at our first meeting (trust me, Proust was intimidating!):

'Just read it like a novel. You don't have to read it as this great literary, philosophical work. It is a story like any other.'

That really helped get us all past the intimidation.

Here...it is just another retelling - this time of the Odyssey. It is a journey with adventures. It is also going to be witty, funny and probably a touch lewd and naughty. You should read Joyce's letters to his wife!

And thank you for keeping me company on this.

[Jen K]

Theresa wrote: "@Jen K - I am going to share what our Proust discussion leader said at our first meeting (trust me, Proust was intimidating!):

'Just read it like a novel. You don't have to read it as this great l..."

Thanks Theresa! I'm very glad that you set this up. Being able to discuss as we go will be so helpful and I'm looking forward to the journey in both senses.

[Theresa]

I just pulled my copy off my bookshelf - it's been staring -- glaring? -- at me while I work for 2 years now. As I look through the very yellowed pages -- aged but in good shape actually, binding still solid - - I realize it has added material -- a forward, a copy of the court decision lifting the ban on its further publication (you KNOW I'm drooling over that!), and a letter from Joyce written in 1934 I think. Might even be some added material at the end though doesn't look like it.

There are handwritten notes too -- my, was my handwriting far nicer and smaller than now! Not a lot but one in particular caught my eye: I wrote my name and the date I purchased and started the book - 1/75. Because it was for a class, we all read the same edition so yes, one had to put one's name in the book.

[Jen K]

Very cool Theresa!! The court decision will be fascinating. I haven't pulled mine out yet but not sure it is as cool an edition. :)

Will you follow a tentative reading schedule or just read as you manage?

[Book Concierge]

Had to check in just before my drive to see my brother. I should have paid closer attention ... the audio would have been perfect for this long drive!

[Theresa]

Book Concierge wrote: "Had to check in just before my drive to see my brother. I should have paid closer attention ... the audio would have been perfect for this long drive!"

Ah, yes! It would have! So maybe you need to plan a couple long drives when you get home!

[Theresa]

@Jen K - just read as I can. I don't see a way to break it up into chunks at this point. I will track my progress here from time to time so if I am ahead or behind can slow or speed up.

One more comment: One of Joyce's innovations is his mixing up of style and format...including stream of consciousness - which was not invented by Joyce, but by the great influencer Gertrude Stein years earlier. I have read a few books in my time that wander through different rhythms and formats and styles as you go. One that all here may have read is The Penelopiad by Margaret Atwood. And of course it is another Odyssey inspired retelling. Was Atwood paying homage to Joyce's Ulysses by incorporating different styles etc? Interesting question.

[Jen K]

Sounds good! The Penelopiad is one of the few Atwood books that I haven't read. I will have to pick it up after this one.

[Jen K]

AHHH, @Theresa, I'm really sorry as I have failed at this buddy read. I never quite got around to picking it up and now I'm on a 4 week work trip and it did not fit in the suitcase especially as I will be moving around to a number of different places this trip. :(

I will still try this summer but probably starting in July which completely misses the Bloomsday. I will be in NYC in early August so maybe I can make that my new goal to finish in time to go to the exhibit at the Morgan.

[Robin P]

I did Ulysses with another GR group a while ago. That group posted links to some online sites with tons of information and explanations. But what worked best for me was to read it like poetry, not trying to understand everything logically. I'm sure I missed a lot but I did make it through.

[Theresa]

I am only starting it this weekend. I plan to just read it then pursue any additional info or commentary. I still hope to finish by Bloomsday...I finally finished a slew of in progress reads and work is a tiny bit more under control.

I totally could not move into this earlier no matter the good intentions.

But absolutely you are on for August, Jen K! I think the exhibit opens this weekend. Time to reopen my membership at the Morgan. May be special events we can join in on.

[Jen K]

Sounds great! The Morgan is such a great museum!

Good luck finishing by Bloomsday. Will be interested to see how you progress!

[Book Concierge]

I have not even gotten the book yet! I want to do the audio version, which I think will be better for me than text.

[Jen K]

Book Concierge wrote: "I have not even gotten the book yet! I want to do the audio version, which I think will be better for me than text."

Interested to hear how you find the audio. I would consider that one as well.

[Theresa]

Don't forget that Shakespeare and Co. In Paris has a podcast reading available for free until June 16th. Link in first message.