It’s been on my bucket list for a while now, mostly to read Finnegans Wake and Ulysses, but after reading so much about the books over the years and how notoriously difficult they are, I’m kind of hesitant. I really hate reading something and not understanding it, which is not really a problem for me in most cases, but I think I would be a fool to expect myself to understand Joyce. Honestly, I was mostly drawn to Finnegan’s Wake for the absurdity of the writing style and thought it was awesome that someone would write, “bababadalgharaghtakamminarronnkonnbronntonner-
ronntuonnthunntrovarrhounawnskawntoohoohoordenenthur-
nuk!” in a book because i don’t know, that’s just really funny to me. I fine with reading through Ulysses on my own just absorbing it and trying to understand it as well as I possibly can, then read it over and over again with sources. For Finnegans Wake, I don’t even know, does anybody even know? Just reading paragraphs it’s so wild, which I love, but should I just read it out loud or listen to it, not to understand (at first), but to absorb it and the overall feeling it gives off? James Joyce must have really loved to make people cry in frustration, but good for him. I guess I just have a few questions and would like some tips.
1. How should I approach the books on the first read though? On the second? And so on?
2. This is a genuine question. Has anyone actually ever completely understood Finnegans Wake? Ulysses I can see more people grasping.
3. What should I read and research in order to understand the allusions in his stories? I know he draws from history and literature a lot, right? Where and what should I specifically look to read up on? I know part of the fun is not understanding everything he’s saying, and realistically I know I won’t, but I think after my first read through of either of the books, it would be fun to learn about the references. So far in terms of literature I’m pretty sure he pulls from the Odyssey, the Bible, and shakespearean works, right?
4. What sources might help me? Mostly looking for online sources like websites, videos, passages whatever, but physical resources are ok too.
5. Should I take course on the books? Where can I find such courses?
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Thanks to anyone that helps or read through this! I’d love to hear people’s experiences with reading James Joyce.
by NovelAd6861