tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6566693580510815870.post1223070952258591501..comments2023-10-09T12:05:12.163+01:00Comments on steady diet of books: James Joyce, Ulysses (II)gabbagabbaheyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07764368059568550318noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6566693580510815870.post-81731724551320956412008-11-10T13:39:00.000+00:002008-11-10T13:39:00.000+00:00Good for people to know.Good for people to know.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6566693580510815870.post-55782572911125223512007-11-29T11:09:00.000+00:002007-11-29T11:09:00.000+00:00Apparently there are people recommending this way ...Apparently there are people recommending this way of reading Ulysses to their students:<BR/>http://www.hrc.utexas.edu/news/newsletters/2002/fall/8.html<BR/><BR/>Anyway, it will be my first time reading Ulysses and I want to have a non-biased start. <BR/><BR/>I was discussing this with one of my instructors and she was saying that modern literature has that style where you can skip a few pages but still get the whole picture. <BR/><BR/>The point is, I know people who pride themselves in reading a whole book, but can't make sense of what they've 'read', and others who read barely a few selected pages and filter what the author is saying. There is no right and wrong, as opposed to say, Victorian literature (except Tristram Shandy). Modern literature is more flexible that way, I think. It can screw with your head in the most ingenious ways. A book isn't just cover - linear story - end - back cover.LJhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14721864546447139264noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6566693580510815870.post-896554952073690782007-11-29T10:47:00.000+00:002007-11-29T10:47:00.000+00:00thanks for the compliment! I'm a history major mys...thanks for the compliment! I'm a history major myself so referencing is important for me too, at least in a formal context (which isn't of course what this blog is, really). Anyway, I'll try and clarify what I said...<BR/><BR/>When I said that's the way you're 'meant' to read it, that was kinda tongue-in-cheek. It has been something I have heard generally, though. Any book, particularly one as controversial and as difficult as Ulysses, merits an unconventional approach to reading it. Specifically I was reminded of it from an art book of 'Women Reading' or something along those lines... famous paintings from medieval times right up to the modern day, one of which was that photograph of Marilyn Monroe. I'm afraid I can't remember the name of the photographer offhand, but the accompanying text definitely discussed the 'random' method of reading. Okay, so it's not an authoritative source, but I would hazard a guess that it's a fairly common idea, if perhaps in non-academic circles.<BR/><BR/>As I say, that wasn't intended in an entirely serious way, and I'm not saying there is an particular method you are 'supposed' to use in reading Joyce. I myself have read Ulysses the usual way, right through, but I recently went back to it and just started reading in the middle. (Ironically, the plot is quite strong so that I didn't want to jump off to a different chapter, so I actually did keep on straight again). But there are definitely advantages in immersing yourself directly in the prose, instead of struggling one's way through the whole sequence of the book. <BR/><BR/>Hope that helps clear up any problems!gabbagabbaheyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07764368059568550318noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6566693580510815870.post-85475625599722542962007-11-28T19:32:00.000+00:002007-11-28T19:32:00.000+00:00ok so this is a very well written review, and you ...ok so this is a very well written review, and you obviously have not taken english in college - i say that as a compliment. it's because English majors rarely think outside the box, or even read the books they're supposed to. i could go on with that subject but i just have one question. where did you learn that you're supposed to read ulysses randomly? i *am* an English major and if I state that in class there will be gasps of horror. it makes sense to me, but i need you to name names. thanks.LJhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14721864546447139264noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6566693580510815870.post-91965848038876161562007-11-01T19:50:00.000+00:002007-11-01T19:50:00.000+00:00"read for pleasure" ha, that's why I never wanted ..."read for pleasure" ha, that's why I never wanted to do English at college!<BR/><BR/>seriously though, it makes for a good foraygabbagabbaheyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07764368059568550318noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6566693580510815870.post-32659345457465230722007-11-01T15:42:00.000+00:002007-11-01T15:42:00.000+00:00ive only touched on joyce; the commitment of an un...ive only touched on joyce; the commitment of an undertaking like ulysses or dubliners has always somewhat scared me. when i have the chance to read for pleasure again joyce will be my first foray.J Bubblegumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05616392999719716846noreply@blogger.com