Where to start with Joyce

[Paul Mackin]

On 6/24/2012 1:43 AM, Billy Genocide wrote:
> 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...

For what it's worth, I read the "Hades" chapter of Ulysses years before 
any other Joyce.  It was in a lit textbook in use at the time, chosen 
probably for its accessibility.  Paddy Dignan's funeral is a good 
introduction to Joyce's Dublin and to Bloom's position in Dublin 
society  as an accepted outsider.

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