Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site security.UUCP Path: utzoo!linus!security!tfl From: tfl@security.UUCP (Tom Litant) Newsgroups: net.books Subject: re:Joyce Message-ID: <330@security.UUCP> Date: Fri, 17-Jun-83 12:38:42 EDT Article-I.D.: security.330 Posted: Fri Jun 17 12:38:42 1983 Date-Received: Fri, 17-Jun-83 17:06:29 EDT Organization: MITRE Corp., Bedford MA Lines: 25 I find it difficult to compare Joyce with anyone else. However, I can give you some info that will either scare you off Joyce, or make reading him a more enjoyable experience. Joyce was a very "technique oriented" writer. What I mean by this is that his books have a very definite structure and content based on literary, mythic, and religious allusions. If I were to rank his writings in terms of difficulty, it would go this way: Portrait of the Artist Dubliners Ulysses Finigan's Wake For each of the above, however, I suggest that you buy a book of lit crit, and read it in conjunction with the corresponding Joyce book. We simply do not have the requisite classical education these days to be able to catch all of the allegory. In addition, it helps to get a copy of the record of Joyce reading Finigan's Wake, since this book is written in dialect (Irish). Allegory and lit crit bullsh*t asside, Joyce has a terrific command of the english language and dialect, paints glorious pictures of Ireland (have to go there sometime), and is well worth the effort to read. "Mulligan stew for Bloom..." (grace slick from AFTER BATHING AT BAXTERS's)