Where to start with Joyce

[Billy Genocide]

I'd say to start with Portrait because it indicates some of Joyce's genius
prose work more than Dubliners, but isn't as 'daunting' as Ulysses.
Dubliners certainly has parts that are worthwhile, but I think from a
modern non-Irish perspective it can be a bit dull. Then again, if you're
already enthused about Joyce and can read the likes of Pynchon, just read
Ulysses. It is, as a few people have more than implied, a goddam work of
unrivaled brilliance. But if your friend is prepared for Ulysses,
Portrait's the best start in my opinion...

On Sat, Jun 23, 2012 at 4:07 PM, Jude Bloom <jude at bloomradio.com> wrote:

> Thanks for responses. I've read Joyce up to Finegan, I think Martin Amis
> said Finegan turns out to be a 900-page crossword clue whose answer is,
> "the." Still want to brave it some time.
>
> I'm asking for a friend who wanted a recommendation... Is there no
> argument that you would start with Portrait cause it's the artist as a kid,
> then as an adolescent in Dubliners, & finally a young adult in Ulysses?
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