May/Joyce Reading Poll

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...ames_Joyce.jpg

In May, we will be reading a book by James Joyce who said:

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The artist, like the God of the creation, remains within or behind or beyond or above his handiwork, invisible, refined out of existence, indifferent, paring his fingernails.

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The aim of the Book Club is to read and discuss new books together with other members.

Please try to avoid from voting for the books you have already read and/or do not intend to (re)read with us.

Thank you! :)

Ulysses *

A Portait Of The Artist As A Young Man *

Finnegans Wake

Dubliners



Book Club Procedures

I vote for Dubliners (it's on that "sacred" list of mine.)

Wow. Faulkner and Joyce in back to back months. I must be in heaven. I don't know which one to vote for. I've never read Finnegan's Wake, but that's an impossible read. Ulysses I just read over the summer. Second time. A tough read for the club, I think. I'll have to give it further thought before I vote.

Definitely Ulysses.

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Originally Posted by Ryduce

Definitely Ulysses.

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Do you know what you're getting yourself into? If you thought TSATF was tough, wait until Ulysses.

I always found Joyce easier than Faulkner for some reason.

I'm not voting yet, but I'm hoping for Portrait; seems a bit easier, and the only thing I've read of Joyce's is The Dead from Dubliners.

Faulkner then Joyce???? :D Man that stinks ;)

So which one's the shortest?

As I recall I think A Portrait wasn't too bad, I'll have to go back and see what I said...

If you think I'm going to tackle Ulysses or Finnegan's Wake, you're crazy! Actually, I intend to read them, but not this May. Plus, I've heard that Ulysses is an utter waste of time, and I hate stream of consciousness soooo much.

I'll take any excuse! :D Actually, I think I'll reserve my vote for a while, as usual.

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Originally Posted by Virgil

I don't know which one to vote for. I've never read Finnegan's Wake, but that's an impossible read. Ulysses I just read over the summer. Second time. A tough read for the club, I think. I'll have to give it further thought before I vote.

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I voted for Finnegan's Wake even though I would be quite happy reading Portrait of an Artist. I have been wanting to read Ulysses, but I need at least 6 months to do that!

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Originally Posted by papayahed

Faulkner then Joyce???? :D Man that stinks ;)

So which one's the shortest?

As I recall I think A Portrait wasn't too bad, I'll have to go back and see what I said...

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Just going b memory. Portrait is about 200 pages, Ullysses 800 pages.

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Originally Posted by emily

If you think I'm going to tackle Ulysses or Finnegan's Wake, you're crazy! Actually, I intend to read them, but not this May. Plus, I've heard that Ulysses is an utter waste of time, and I hate stream of consciousness soooo much.

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Ulysses is a hard read but it is not IMO a waste of time. It really is a great novel. I've never read Fiinega's wake, but it's written in a constructed language that Joyce created. Who knows how long it would take to read that?

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Originally Posted by Virgil

Portrait is about 200 pages, Ullysses 800 pages.

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Does anyone know about how long Finnegan's Wake is?

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Originally Posted by genoveva

Does anyone know about how long Finnegan's Wake is?

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670-something. Although it may be claimed to be "unreadable" I would have to vote for this one (Finnegan's), just becasue it seems so unusual and interesting.

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Originally Posted by Virgil

Ulysses is a hard read but it is not IMO a waste of time. It really is a great novel.

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Yeah, but you also said you liked Moby Dick. I don't trust you, anymore. ;)

what about Dubliners? what's the deal with that one?

A bunch of short stories. The only person I've talked to who's read it is m'boy, and he said he stopped halfway through because he didn't like it.

I voted for A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man because it is not long.

Dubliners would probably the easiest and most enjoyable read. It's got the short stories thing going for it, which would make it easy to follow. It's not as stylistically experimental or frustrating as any of Joyce's other works (even Portrait, the most conventional of his novels, plays with language a bit). And "The Dead" is one of the best short stories ever.

And just to clarify, Ulysses is about 50 pages shorter than the Wake.

I've read both A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man and Ulysses and any person who has not done so really should. Both are just wonderful books, perhaps not the easiest to read but well worth the struggle of getting through them. I personally believe Ulysses to be the better of those two - a really interesting story.

I voted for Finnegans Wake though, having just checked it out of my library. I've made attempts at it and would be pleased with help trying to read it through. My copy of Finnegans wake which 'embodies all author's corrections' is 628 pages long.

Anyone who has trouble reading Joyce should consider checking out some literary criticism's on his writings, books, and use of language (there are endless books written on his books) and could possibly find some sense in what appears to be nonsense. [I just recently read this collection of essays concerning the languages of Joyce and thought the picture of Joyce (http://www.atomilk.net/gallery/main....g2_itemId=1076) aswell as Eco's diagram on finnegans wake (http://www.atomilk.net/gallery/main....g2_itemId=1079) to be very neat!]

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Originally Posted by Unspar

And just to clarify, Ulysses is about 50 pages shorter than the Wake.

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Wow! I'm up for the challenge. :thumbs_up

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Originally Posted by papayahed

what about Dubliners? what's the deal with that one?

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I just picked it because of my list and because I spent several days in Dublin. (though I have no idea what the story is about) As far as my list goes, we have to pick Dubliners or Portrait of an Artist otherwise I'd have to sit this one out.

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Originally Posted by emily655321

A bunch of short stories. The only person I've talked to who's read it is m'boy, and he said he stopped halfway through because he didn't like it.

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I've read it. There are several sories, like "The Dead" which are excellent. There are other stories which I feel are overrated. I wound up picking Portrait.

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Originally Posted by Shea

I just picked it because of my list and because I spent several days in Dublin. (though I have no idea what the story is about)

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Actually all the books are set in Dublin. (I'm not sure about Finnegan's) Ulysses gets quite specific with the sites and places in the city.

Why am I the only who voted for Ulysses?


C'mon people do the right thing.

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Originally Posted by Ryduce

Why am I the only who voted for Ulysses?


C'mon people do the right thing.

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I'll tell you what, Ry. If Ulysses isn't picked, we'll start our own thread on it while we read it together and try to entice others to join. But that will have to wait until the summer for me. But you should read Portrait before Ulysses.

I read Portrait like 3 months ago which is why I don't wanna read it.

The Book Club read The Portrait last year (http://www.online-literature.com/for...ead.php?t=3408) so I will go with Dubliners as well.

Really? What if it wins again?

i tried to read ulysses just a few months ago. maybe im to young for it, although i like to concider myself a pretty well read 17 year old gal. it was to over my head. but i thought tsatf was to but with this forum kind of helping me along its been great. buuuut my mom said portrait of a young man was reeeally good. so thats my vote

I think I'm gonna sit this one out.

It's not over yet Ry. Actually I would like to change my vote to Dubliners. Is that possible, Jay or Scher?

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Originally Posted by Jay

Really? What if it wins again?

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Then you guys will read it while Papaya and I accepts bribes for not posting any spoilers! :D

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It's not over yet Ry. Actually I would like to change my vote to Dubliners. Is that possible, Jay or Scher?

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I am afraid it is not possible to change the votes, Virgil. The system does not allow it.

I was actually in the book store yesterday with a copy of Ulysses and Dubliners in my hand,but then I wound up buying 70 dollars worth of books,none of which was James Joyce.LOL This always happens when I go to the bookstore.

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Originally Posted by Ryduce

I was actually in the book store yesterday with a copy of Ulysses and Dubliners in my hand,but then I wound up buying 70 dollars worth of books,none of which was James Joyce.LOL This always happens when I go to the bookstore.

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You sound just like me.

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Originally Posted by Scheherazade

Then you guys will read it while Papaya and I accepts bribes for not posting any spoilers! :D

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I'll wait for the bribes to come rolling in...

Vote for A Portrait!!! That way I'll have a month free!!! I really did like "A portrait" or at least I was glad I read it and wouldn't mind discussing it again.

I voted for Portrait of an Artist. I have a sneaking suspicion that someone recommended it to me before, but I don’t remember who or when, or why for that matter. I’ve never read any Joyce, so I went with my gut. You couldn’t imagine my happiness when I realized it was only 200 pages compared to the enormous other ones :D

Vote Dubliners!! (I know, I made a mistake and voted for Portrait and now I can't take it back) But wouldn't it be different to discuss a collection of short stories. And if you didn't want to read one, you could skip it, and go on to another, and still participate.

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Originally Posted by Virgil

Vote Dubliners!! (I know, I made a mistake and voted for Portrait and now I can't take it back) But wouldn't it be different to discuss a collection of short stories. And if you didn't want to read one, you could skip it, and go on to another, and still participate.

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What's it worth to you? :lol: I still have a vote..

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Originally Posted by papayahed

What's it worth to you? :lol: I still have a vote..

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What do you want? You sound like Jason Compson asking Luster for a nickel for a show ticket.

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Originally Posted by Virgil

What do you want? You sound like Jason Compson asking Luster for a nickel for a show ticket.

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yes, but I won't burn my vote.

I'm anxious to see what my first 'book club' book mite be, or even that I'll get to read a new book for it ...i'm crossing my fingers that dubliners or finnegans wake be chosen