How I grew to love Ulysses & five reading tips

[@jimfryer1]

I enjoyed your presentation, thank you. I dove into Ulysses some years ago. Dubliners is one of my favorite books ever - The Dead is maybe the best short story I have ever read. Portrait of the Artist is great. So I just dove into Ulysses, with an old hard cover copy I found that contained no explanations or annotations. Sure, some parts were hard to follow, and there's no doubt I missed a lot, but it was an amazing experieince. Riding the subway home late at night (I'm a musician in NYC), I more than once found myself reading out loud, without realizing it! (The few other passangers must have thought I was crazy!) Even when I didn't understand what I was reading, the sound of the words was like music. Sometimes a single page was enough, I couldn't take in any more. I called it "swimming in chocolate" - just the sound of the words was so rich. At 66 years old now, I hope to re-read it soon, perhaps with a study group this time (I know such groups exist). Have you read Finnegan's Wake? It is also sitting on my book shelf...

[@adayofsmallthings]

Hello, thanks for sharing your story! It’s lovely to hear how much you enjoyed Ulysses and I loved imagining a musician reading it out loud in the subway at night :) what a beautiful image. I hope you enjoy it when you read it again! I haven’t read finnegans wake. I heard it’s challenging. Maybe one day!

[@MilesDavis2012]

Difficult but beautifully written and rewarding. A sense of the culture of Dublin, the psychology of modernism, and the urban neuroses of the early 20th Century, between World Wars. Enjoying the irony of an "Odyssey" that doesn't take ten years--after a ten year war--but a single day, in a single city, where the hero (anti-hero) still doesn't seem to possess the fidelity of his "Penelope." As Odysseus travels through seemingly every part of the known Greek world and underworld, Joyce--through Harold Bloom, Stephen Daedalus, Molly Bloom and others--journeys through seemingly every part of the English language. I've gotten about 60% through in 2-3 weeks, and am taking a brief break :). So it's really much more approachable than it seems--if you can enjoy the style + bear with the seemingly obscure sections, practicing a bit of Keatsian "negative capability." You'll get more of it than you think, if you haven't begun yet.

[@adayofsmallthings]

Thank you that’s lovely put. Hope you enjoy the rest of it!

[@johnpearson5894]

It is now 2024. Since college I've been intimidated by comments from more literary folks than I , but finally at a (very) senior citizenn I am venturing into Ulysses,. Your delightful presentation, with your comments and suggested strategy to approach it encourages me to just get on with it. Thank you.

[@paulfogarty7724]

I'd recommend reading the last chapter ( Penelope ) first ...because this one is as vulgar and disgusting as it gets ( and I'm no prude ). If you're okay and not put off, then you can go back to the start. Don't worry about " spoiling " the ending - it's hardly a cliff - hanger anyway. Just trying to save you some valuable time. I wish I could go back and give myself the same advice 🙄

[@Sardarescu_Cristina_Andra]

I recommend you listen to the RTE Radio Ulysses broadcast (from 1982) especially if you are a first time reader (you can find it online for free). 33 actors read the book...and that helps a lot in distinguishing who is actually "speaking"/thinking 😅

[@adayofsmallthings]

Oh wow that sounds like an impressive production! That'll certainly help distinguish who's speaking and thinking. Thanks so much for the recommendation!

[@johnsilver8059]

I sincerely appreciate a nonnative speaker reading this book, a book I am reading now. I had some experience with stream of consciousness, particularly Faulkner’s As I Lay Dying and The Sound and the Fury, but Ulysses is on a whole different level.

[@adayofsmallthings]

It was tough haha. Hope you enjoy it :)

[@TheSquidgal]

KZbin recommended your channel to me. I have always wanted to tackle Ulysses so I watched your video. I really enjoyed your presentation style and the way you highlighted text from the book to illustrate your point. I think the thing that has kept me from this book is there are so many references to classical texts and events. I know most will go right over my head. But you shared the quote from the editor who basically said you just need to dive in to it. I think that will be my strategy. I will read it straight through, highlighting areas I have problems with. Once I have read it, I can go back and look up references and reread for greater comprehension. I think this will be one of those books that you find and understand new things each time you read it. Thanks for your excellent video. It has motivated me to finally dive in!

[@adayofsmallthings]

So glad you find the video helpful. Yes there are many references - it sounds like you have a great strategy - read it straight through and go back for the references later. All the best and I really hope you enjoy it!

[@tonytynan1955]

Well done, a very good video. Definitely my most favorite book by a mile. Everytime I reread it, l say to myself "its great to be back again to live with Stephen, Bloom, and Molly and so many other interesting characters, including the potato 🥔

[@adayofsmallthings]

Aww lovely! Which potato is this?!

[@KarlTroy-e1g]

Thank you for some good suggestions and this is a very enjoyable book to read

[@adayofsmallthings]

Glad you enjoy it!

[@sweetcell8767]

You’re awesome. Great discussion. Love hearing your perspectives 😊

[@adayofsmallthings]

Thank you for the kind words, really glad you enjoyed it :)

[@sarahvirginia22]

That was a great video. I am getting ready to embark on my long winter read, and you have given me some excellent tips for reading Ulysses.

[@adayofsmallthings]

That's lovely to hear! I really hope you enjoy it :)

[@marinamcgovern6497]

Great video with very useful tips, and so well-timed. I've just joined the Hardcore Literature Book Club and we will be reading Ulysses over the summer. I'd already downloaded the audiobook you recommend but I've not come across the Joyce Project. I dipped in and out of the novel at university but hope I'll now be able to read it in its entirety. Thank you for the encouragement!

[@adayofsmallthings]

Thank you, I’m really glad the video is useful. I know the Hardcore Literature I listen to the podcast sometimes. Ben is brilliant! Hope you have a great time reading Ulysses :)

[@adayofsmallthings]

Hi Marina, how did Ulysses go over the summer with Hardcore Literature? Hope it went well :)

[@marinamcgovern6497]

@@adayofsmallthings I am currently waiting for the next lecture, which is on Cyclops and Nausicaa, to be released. I decided I would appreciate the novel more if I watched the lectures and then read the relevant sections. It's unique, challenging and dense, and at times I think it might have been more fun to write than to read! I'm glad I'm doing it in its entirety though as I've only dipped in and out of it in the past. I believe you've read it twice - well done!

[@keithlongley362]

Thank you for giving me a jump start: I'd attempted to get to grips with this novel and though I've read many classics, I feel I may be stretching my capabilities a little too far. Ive read Homers Odyssey and the iliad, but its the latin phrases and hicklety pickety language that has got me flummoxed. However, I will give it another shot because of your obvious enthusiasm for the novel.

[@adayofsmallthings]

So glad you are giving it another try! I’m sure your reading of Odyssey and the Iliad will help a lot. Hope it goes well this time :)

[@MiataBRG]

Excellent introduction to Ulysses. It's a brilliant book but needs to be approached with some preparation first. The audio book is very helpful to understand the flow of the words in the long sections that have no punctuation.

[@adayofsmallthings]

Hello! Sorry for the super late reply. Glad to hear you find the audiobook helpful. The long sections with no punctuation make more sense when someone reads it out loud. Glad you like the book too! Hope you had a good Christmas and new year break!

[@missjenny1953]

Really helpful Nicole. This is a book that keeps popping up waiting for my attention. I’m glad you mentioned the audiobook. I like to listen and read along when the text is tricky. I’m reading and listening to Edda Mussolini at the moment and the audio keeps me moving along with the Italian place names and the book has the photos.

[@adayofsmallthings]

Thank you, glad you find it helpful :) hope you like it when you get to it. Yes completely agree, audiobooks are great for keeping moving with difficult reads. I could definitely not have finished Ulysses without it!

[@austinstillwell]

I took your advice and got the audiobook. I just wanted to say thanks because I was stuck on Ch. 9 for a while (a Stephen chapter of course) and may not have been able to finish if I was forced to trudge alone through Stephen’s esoteric words and thoughts.

[@adayofsmallthings]

My pleasure. That's wonderful to hear! I'm glad it helped :) How did it go? Do you think it's worth the time and effort in the end? Thanks for the lovely message.

[@austinstillwell]

@@adayofsmallthings As I’ve yet to complete it I hesitate to give it a full endorsement but my feeling so far is that it’s definitely worth it, if for nothing more than to be in the company of one of my new favorite human beings (real or imagined), Leopold Bloom. I’m not convinced that the onslaught of allusions are entirely necessary but who the hell am I to critique the undeniable genius of Joyce

[@adayofsmallthings]

@@austinstillwell ah glad to hear you made such good friends with Bloom :) I still remember the end of the pub episode made me laugh a lot. All the best to the end of the book!

[@danieledgardo2122]

Loved this video! I liked your calm enthusiasm as you speak. And yeah, Ulysses is one of those challenging but rewarding experiences that at least I won't forget. I like going back to the novel every so often and read some pages, but I haven't done a rereading in quite some time. It has this aura of being intimidating and confusing, not without merit, but it's a classic for a very good reason. I agree with your tips for tackling the novel. The Oxford Classics editions for Joyce's works are, for me, the way to go. I used them for my undergrad thesis :):) The introductions are solid and the notes are perfect. Again, great video!

[@adayofsmallthings]

Hi thanks very much for the comment. Glad you enjoyed the video :) Yes it takes a lot of time and brain space to read it every time but agree it's worthwhile! Did you do an English degree or did you study Joyce's works specifically? Any tips for reading him? :) lovely chatting!

[@danieledgardo2122]

@@adayofsmallthings Got a degree on English literature and linguistics, and I chose Joyce for my thesis. Tips for reading Joyce, from the top of my head: -Don't worry about trying to understand everything on the first read, because that's not going to happen. Thus... -Rereading him is very productive because you will know what you're in for so you can notice the little details that he sprinkles here and there. -Understanding Joyce's major influences is pretty helpful, like some Irish history, Hamlet, the Odyssey, etc. -Don't expect things to be plot driven, because Joyce is not really about that. Things happen rather slowly, and he goes for making you feel a specific impression, I'd say. Some tales from Dubliners are very like that. :):)

[@adayofsmallthings]

@@danieledgardo2122 Cool! I did some linguistics too (but not English literature unfortunately). I will definitely bear these things in mind if I re-read it at some point, especially the bit you said about “specific impression”. Thanks so much for sharing!

[@marywong9976]

I came across to your channel because of the James Joyce reference! And didnt regret it at all. This was super informative and def pulled me 1 step closer to the book. I loved Portrait of the Artist as a young men, finding many of its themes like a puberty maturity and the search for God really relatable. Joyce is such an amazing writer.

[@adayofsmallthings]

Hello! Thanks for stopping by :) if you loved Portrait, Ulysses shouldn’t be difficult for you at all. Hope you enjoy it! If you haven’t come across Ben McEnvoy (if I spelled his name right!), he just posted a longer and better video on Ulysses you might find helpful :)

[@GraceRay-b9m]

My first attempt at reading Ulysses was at my late teens, and I found it too difficult. I gave up after reading only a few chapters. But this has always been a sore point with me, for I love literature. And Ulysses remains the only book that I find myself unable to finish despite wanting to, knowing very well that it is one of the most, if not the most, rewarding and unmissable piece of literary classics. May be I was just far too young to make sense of it. Recently, I bought the book again and intended to have another go at it, but it's been sadly stay sitting on my bookshelf. Your video, however, gave me the extra push that I need. This time around, I do not intend to let this book defeat me again, and not just that, I fully intend to enjoy every moment of it. Thank you for your tips. I think I will make it happen this time. The audio book with James Norton and James Joyce Project sounds very promising. I must say you have a way of expressing your ideas in such a calm and clear manner, yet with an undenying underlining enthusiasm and love for literature, which I find most infectious. I am so pleased that I came across your channel through KZbin recommendations. I'm looking forward to more videos from you.

[@adayofsmallthings]

Hello, it's really lovely to hear your story with Ulysses - thanks so much for sharing! All the best with your reading this time - I'm sure it'll still feel challenging at times but yes as you said it, have fun! Thanks for the lovely message - so kind :) hope to see you around!

[@elizabethjonczyk6818]

This is a very helpful video. Thank you so much for motivating me to finally pick this book up!

[@adayofsmallthings]

You’re very welcome :) I’m so glad you’re motivated to do it. Hope it goes well!

[@noteworthyfiction]

Thank you for my video. I think you popped up in my feed because I just did a video on my most intimidating book and guess what it is!?! I feel more encouraged now.

[@adayofsmallthings]

Oh haha is it Ulysses?! My pleasure - thanks for checking the video out. Hope one day you'll befriend it :)

[@adayofsmallthings]

And you are Nicole too! Nice meeting you!

[@subtlefire7256]

I've been thinking about reading Ulysses, tbh mostly because it intimidates me and I feel challenged by that. I read a lot of classics and and I'm not usually nervous going into them, so I feel the need to conquer this book haha. This video is definitely encouraging.

[@adayofsmallthings]

Glad you find it encouraging :) hope you get to conquer it sometime soon! Maybe this summer? ;)

[@jotaig8735]

Hi, great to have come across your channel! It's really nice to hear your customised views and tips, will be great help when I come to read this book eventually! Take care !😘

[@adayofsmallthings]

Thanks for stopping by. Really lovely to meet you :) yes I hope the video will help a bit when you get to the book!

[@feanorian21maglor38]

Thank you for the video, it's really good. I'm reading chapter 7 right now, and it's been slow going. I bought the brilliant audiobook long before I got the book, but as you say, it's a perfect combination to read them both together. Jim Norton sounds like a full cast, he's that good. The fact that you and others are so positive makes me want to persevere. I have found some parts very easy to understand, so far, and others quite difficult, and if I'm struggling, that's where the audio is a game changer.

[@adayofsmallthings]

Hello, glad you're persevering with Ulysses! 'Jim Norton sounds like a full cast' - that's so true. Yes I had the same feeling, some parts are a lot easier than others, some are very slow-going, some are absolutely hilarious. All the best!

[@adrobj707]

a very clear, no nonsense push to get us reading. thank you.

[@adayofsmallthings]

Thank you! Glad you like it :)

[@deirdre108]

I just subscribed! Very good review. The second time I read Ulysses I found a copy of "Ulysses Annotated" by Gifford and Seidman to read along with the novel. I found this book of annotations increased my enjoyment of the novel immensely and filled in the meanings of some of the obscure (to me anyway) references Joyce made. It's quite a large book, over 600 pages, but it quite enriched my second time reading experience.

[@adayofsmallthings]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it. Good annotation is invaluable isn’t it. So glad you found one. Will keep that in mind :) thanks for sharing!

[@jessyandliterature]

I'm currently reading this book and I'm so happy with your video 🧡

[@adayofsmallthings]

Thank you! Hope you enjoy the book!

[@estellamills1601]

Hi Nicole, thanks you for these interesting tipo on Joyce's book. You have made some simple yet encouraging points and comments, as well as useful l'installazione and sites. Grateful

[@adayofsmallthings]

Pleasure and thank you! Hope they help a bit :)

[@jackobrien9617]

This was doubtless the best review of a book on youtube I have seen. Thank you!

[@adayofsmallthings]

That’s so kind! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@wiphatme2027]

This is a quality channel. Thank you very much. (Thailand)

[@adayofsmallthings]

Hello friend from Thailand! Thank you :) Glad you enjoy the content!

[@JanetBeebe-nh9re]

Thank-you for your tips. I find that there are so many translations that address so many different views.

[@adayofsmallthings]

My pleasure! Glad it was helpful :)

[@luiscrespo9902]

Great job! You convinced me; I just ordered the book.

[@adayofsmallthings]

Thank you :) hope the reading goes well and you enjoy the challenge!

[@amyofhearthridge]

This is so helpful! Not sure if I will tackle this, but so interesting! ♥️🌿

[@adayofsmallthings]

totally understand it's not for everyone, therefore even more reason for me to say thank you for watching!

[@bia7851]

i have stumbled upon on your videos a couple days ago and I think you are so so great ! The way you talk about books is truly inspiring. Thank you so much.

[@adayofsmallthings]

That’s so kind :) thank you, I’m glad you enjoyed the video!

[@Mmgin9]

Thank you for your videos! And thank you for the edition recommendation 🤩

[@adayofsmallthings]

Pleasure :)

[@dqan7372]

Great video. Fun and insightful. This was to be my year of rereading Dubliners--Ulysses, but it quickly became much more. Surely I'll get to it in time for the American anniversary!

[@adayofsmallthings]

That’s in a few years’ time isn’t it. Hope you get there in time! Thanks for stopping by :)

[@dqan7372]

@@adayofsmallthings 2033, I think. Might even get through an initial reading of Finnegan's Wake by then.

[@dianereynolds9309]

I heard about you on Books and Things. I especially loved the video on Ulysses. I may try again to read it. Thank you. I have now subscribed to your videos and hit the bell.

[@adayofsmallthings]

Thanks for stopping by! I'm glad you like the video. Hope it helps a bit when you try Ulysses again.

[@melissahouse1296]

This was fantastic thank you! I've bookmarked for when i finally get round to trying this novel... fingers crossed next year. Subscribed! 👍😊

[@adayofsmallthings]

Thanks for subscribing! Really glad you find it useful. Yes hopefully you get to it at some point :)

[@megmiller1671]

This has inspired me to finally give it a go - lovely video :)

[@adayofsmallthings]

Thank you :) hope you enjoy the read!

[@lisainbookland]

I’m just starting this venture now so thanks for the encouragement and tips in this video! I was gifted an edition without any notes so I’m trying to decide whether to buy a different one - I might try and muddle through with The Joyce Project and/or Sparknotes for a few chapters. Loved the pointer towards the audiobook as well 😊

[@adayofsmallthings]

Hope it goes well. Keep going and don't give up!!

[@funkenschlag5701]

I read it for the first time last year. Since English is my second language, I missed a ton but it was still a mind expanding and enjoyable experience. The book by Anthony Burgess about Joyce (Here Comes Everybody) helped a lot and I read an annotated version on my kindle to easily look up words and references. I also prepared by reading the Odyssey, Dubliners and A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man. Looking forward to my second read-through (or maybe I'll approach it one chapter at a time). Currently dabbling a bit in Finnegans Wake with a friend once in a while (we chose a random page with a program and started from there but we only make veeeery slow progress. It's a lot of fun though).

[@adayofsmallthings]

That’s a lot of challenging books! I found A Portrait even more difficult that Ulysses. Glad you’re enjoying Joyce!

[@funkenschlag5701]

@@adayofsmallthings Okay, that's surprising to me😅What did you find that difficult in A Portrait?

[@adayofsmallthings]

@@funkenschlag5701 haha I’m not 100% sure, some sections were easier some were more difficult. Maybe it was the time of day - I read it in bed and kept falling asleep - apologies Joyce!!

[@funkenschlag5701]

@@adayofsmallthings Haha okay that makes sense. Probably you read half asleep one of the latin sentences over and over again and thought "The sentences are freakin' difficult in this book"

[@adayofsmallthings]

@@funkenschlag5701 yes!! 😂

[@ronanc6324]

Don Giffords Ulysses Annotated really helps unravel Shem the penmans love of obscure details .

[@adayofsmallthings]

Ooh I haven’t heard of that one - thanks for sharing!

[@emiliah.o.3443]

thank you for this :) I think I will try something shorter by joyce first as a "warm up" but this is making me less intimidated to read ulysses eventually (also I came from katie's video)

[@adayofsmallthings]

Hi nice meeting you! really glad to hear the video helps a bit. Hope you get to read it eventually :) thanks for stopping by!

[@MrPaddynufc]

Amazing video. Thanks :-)

[@adayofsmallthings]

My pleasure!

[@rebeccaharris4823]

You’ve inspired me to try Ulysses!

[@adayofsmallthings]

Aww I’m so glad! Hope you like it and it likes you :)

[@rafaeldominguez5817]

You have an excellent channel like to start reading this year please can you share the version you read.

[@adayofsmallthings]

Thank you! I read the Oxford World’s Classics edition 1922 text. Hope you enjoy it!

[@jupiteriana]

This is so helpful! I'm not a native English speaker so reading Ulysses is quite scary for me 😆 But I'll give it a try, thanks!

[@adayofsmallthings]

Hey, glad you found it helpful and want to give it a try! It's definitely an unusual read. Hope you'll enjoy it!

[@bookishtopics]

Loved the video and the tips! Thank you! I would love to read Ulysses one day as well though it's hugely intimidating 🙈 Do you think one should read some other classics prior to Ulysses? If so which ones would you recommend? 📚

[@bookishtopics]

@Cranky Yokel Thank you!

[@adayofsmallthings]

It is intimidating! If you are thinking classics that were written around the same time as Ulysses and in a similar style as Ulysses, I heard many people recommend Virginia Woolf's Mrs Dalloway - it also all happens on one day. But I haven't read that one. At least Mrs Dalloway is short!

[@adayofsmallthings]

Thank you@Cranky Yokel! That's a very thorough list! I'm actually working through those four titles :) I find each of them tough in their own way lol

[@bookishtopics]

@@adayofsmallthings Yes, I also heard that many people suggest it. I think it's probably better to start with Virginia. She seems more beginner-friendly :D

[@adayofsmallthings]

@@bookishtopics hope you enjoy reading Woolf :)

[@randomdron4410]

Beautiful girl 💖😍. Thank you 🤗. Kisses from Argentina 💞

[@paulfogarty7724]

I just finished it, and I absolutly hated the last chapter - Penelope - especally after spending so much time reading the rest of it. It reminded me of Oliver Hardy picking up the phone and putting the reciever to his ear - we hear this tiny, unending, speeded - up rant from his wife ! 😅... It just felt like it didn't belong with this book. Omg, after all that time spent reading it 🙄

[@readersretreat7845]

New here great video

[@adayofsmallthings]

Great to have you! Thanks for stopping by :)

[@readersretreat7845]

@@adayofsmallthings YW