Atheist Nexus

The World’s Largest Coalition of Nontheists and Nontheist Communities!

James Joyce is one of my very favorite writers.

I'm about 300 pages into Finnegans Wake right now, and it is very tough sledding. But I'm finding it worth the effort. This is my third attempt to read it. I seem to have finally broken through and it is making more "sense" to me finally.

I read Ulysses about ten years ago and loved it.

From an atheist perspective, I enjoy his work because I find it very humanistic. He makes a strong connection between mythology and everyday events and feelings -- which is why Joseph Campbell was such a great admirer of his.

Views: 0

Replies to This Discussion

Joycephiliac here.

Finnegans Wake is indeed a "book of many attempts." I never even tried to read it sequentially, I usually open it at random, read a few dozens pages, add notes and post-its, and put it to rest for a while.

If you're bilingual, bouncing between translations can be a great experience (the French Lavergne's translation is a masterpiece of its own.)
A couple of my favorite quotes: Television kills telephony in brothers broil and Wipe your glosses with what you know.

It's been about thirty years since I read FW (twice.) Probably getting about time to do it again (like I do with One Hundred Years of Solitude and Huckleberry Finn.)

FW and Ulysses are the only Joyce I've read. What order would you recommend reading the earlier works?
If you're an 'evolutionist', I suggest reading Stephen Hero before the Portrait (as I did.)

If you didn't read it already, you might start with Ellmann's biography of Joyce. A must read.
I've heard great things about the Ellmann. It's always been on my "one of these days" lists.

Where should Dubliners, Exiles, Giacomo Joyce, and the poetry fit in? Or should I just assume that basic chronology is the plan to follow?
If you've read FW and Ulysses already, besides the ones I listed I'd say you can read the other novels and short stories in any order you see fit. I haven't read all the poetry - yet.
Ulysses has proven to be my Waterloo, I've finished Gravity's Rainbow and Infinite Jest, but have yet to get through Ulysses...I'm aiming for Bloom's Day of this year...but that's what I said last year. I've read Portrait and Dubliners and enjoyed loved them both.

RSS

Support Nexus

Click to Buy Amazon items and help A|N

Advertisements

Heathen's Guide

Your Ad Here

Helpful Items

 

Search Atheist Nexus:
Translate page:
 
Social Networking Links:
 

Latest Activity

Loren Miller replied to Debra Stevenson's discussion Humanistic Mormon Bishop's response to Elder's homophobic remark at GC
1 hour ago
Richard C Brown commented on Hessenroots's group Useless Without Coffee
1 hour ago
Kris Leeds commented on Kris Leeds's blog post Morality
2 hours ago
Kris Leeds liked Kris Leeds's blog post Morality
2 hours ago
Kris Leeds commented on Rachel Riley's blog post RAGE! (What I want to say but won't on FB)
2 hours ago
Mr Peterdactyl liked Joan Denoo's photo
3 hours ago
Mr Peterdactyl posted a photo
3 hours ago
Nicholas Yanoshak commented on Nicholas Yanoshak's blog post What I'd like to see
4 hours ago
Debra Stevenson posted blog posts
4 hours ago
Philip Jarrett replied to Anthony Jordan's discussion Poll Shows 29% of Americans Believe Armed Revolution May Become Necessary
5 hours ago
Chris Breman commented on Steph S.'s group Wildlife
5 hours ago
Tom Sarbeck replied to Steph S.'s discussion 'Crazy ants' a threat in southern U.S. in the group Hang With Friends
5 hours ago
Tony Carroll commented on Ruth Anthony-Gardner's group Hang With Friends
5 hours ago
Tom Sarbeck commented on Ruth Anthony-Gardner's group Hang With Friends
5 hours ago
Debra Stevenson replied to Debra Stevenson's discussion Hm4
5 hours ago
Debra Stevenson replied to Debra Stevenson's discussion Hm4
5 hours ago
Debra Stevenson replied to Debra Stevenson's discussion Hm4
5 hours ago
Joan Denoo liked Dallas the Phallus's discussion Tamar Gendler: An Introduction to the Philosophy of Politics and Economics
5 hours ago
Debra Stevenson replied to Debra Stevenson's discussion Hm4
5 hours ago
Tony Carroll commented on Ruth Anthony-Gardner's group Hang With Friends
5 hours ago

© 2013   Atheist Nexus. All rights reserved. Admin: Brother Richard.

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service