[net.books] More Joyce

ecn-pc:alexande@pur-ee.UUCP (06/24/83)

I read "Dubliners" as a First year college student, and it
went right past me.  I was not yet ready to view reading
literature as anything other than leisure.  By the time I
reached the summer before my senior year, I was ready to take
on "Ulysses".  I found it to be the most pleasurable piece of
literature that I have read to date.  To enjoy it to its
fullest requires a thorough knowledge of everything ever
written in English, Latin, French, and German, and a strong
knowledge of Irish history, linguistics, Homer, and the
Bible, but it is fascinating reading on any level, if you are
willing to go to the trouble to enjoy it.  I read the Cliff's
notes after I had read it through the first time, and it helped
on the re-read, but I was really captured by the book on the
first reading, even without help from notes.  

I have not yet taken the plunge to read "Finnegan's Wake",
but I intend to do so someday.  The main problem I have is that
I don't have large blocks of time to devote to reading it.
I don't think it would be as much fun at 2 pages a day on the
bus on the way to work, but maybe something will open up and
allow me the time.  How long did it take any reader out there?

				Alan Alexander-Manifold
				Purdue Library Systems Dept.
				pur-ee!ecn-pa.alexande

filed01@abnjh.UUCP (06/28/83)

Anyone that can do better than two pages a day of Finnegan's Wake
is exceptional.