March / Ireland Reading Poll

[Scheherazade]

I would prefer Joyce if I have to choose between those two, I guess.

[Weisinheimer]

I voted for Beckett, but I'm fine with Joyce. I'll read Watt later.

[superunknown]

I'm going to Ireland next month and intend to read Dubliners on my trip as I already have it anyway, so I voted for that.

[NickAdams]

Thanks to all who tried to lift Watt, but Joyce has a inescapable orbit.

[hellsapoppin]

One thing I loved about my many years of living in New York was the great bookstores it always had. One of them was the famous Gotham Book Mart:

http://www.goreyography.com/west/articles/gbm2005.html


It was a favorite hangout for lovers of Joyce's writings. In the old days scholars would just drop off their post graduate manuscripts and you could browse through them. Frances Steloff was a great hostess who would greet people as they entered into the shop. The above article refers to her as Ms Steloff but she preferred being addressed as "Miss''.

When Miss Steloff passed on the shop moved a few blocks away. I never went there as it could never have the same character as did the old place.

[Scheherazade]

Come on, folks! Couple of more votes and The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists by Robert Tressell will win!

[hellsapoppin]

... there's always next year ...

[superunknown]

It's quite sad that Joye has such a hold on Irish literature that he completely overshadows all other writers from there, as I'm sure there's lots of great authors from Ireland. I have to say I somewhat shamefully voted out of convenience as I already have Dubliners on my shelf and I was meaning to reread it anyway.

[Niamh]

I think thats the situation with Dubliners. Its the one people recognise and vote for it...
But yet the Tain is Irelands most famous story....

[thelastmelon]

But yet the Tain is Irelands most famous story....

And the reason why I voted for Dubliners instead of The Tain is that I couldn't find it in Sweden, and I can't afford to pay for having it shipped, how cheap it might be. But if I ever find it, I will read it.

[NickAdams]

I was disappointed by the turn out. It's not very hard to find members who would be interested in discussing Joyce, but one would have to rally to find an audience for Watt or The Tain. I think the book-of-the-month is encouraging to that effect. I started reading Dubliners yesterday, I have read a number of the stories since, and I'm pleased with the turn out.

Joyce's writing is fluent and still fresh. I can see how he has influenced both Hemingway and Beckett.

Niamh: If you decide to start a seperate thread for Tain, I'm in.

[papayahed]

Niamh: If you decide to start a seperate thread for Tain, I'm in.

oh, me too.

[Niamh]

Could stick one in the general lit section.
Going to get my hands on Dubliners. Might as well give it another chance...even though i dont exactly like it... but...why not. (Could always pretend the tain is my paddys day read )and seeingas the dubliners is not a long book...

[Remarkable]

Oh,I'm so glad we're going to discuss Joyce in March!That means I have to get my copy from a friend that is keeping it for over 6 months (very upseting) so as to refresh my memory.

I admire Joyce and I find his works on top of the world literature.But then,this remains to be discussed in March.And I'm also glad I'm finally able to participate in the book club.I never get the chance to read the books here...

Niamh,the problem about The Tain is that most of us can't find it and then,I suppose it has a difficult language which would need some thought and consideration.Not an easy read,right?But don't worry,you know we're all very curious to read it!

[Niamh]

dont worry about it
You can get it on amazon anyway but...ce la vie! The majority has voted. I knew it wouldnt get selected anyway but what the heck it was worth the try!
The language wouldnt be hard. This translation was done for an overall reading group from independant readers to adults. Now the Thomas Kinsella translation even I have problems with!