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How to Read Difficult Books [Ulysses Tips & Mindsets] (Patreon)

Published:
2022-08-10 16:03:47
Imported:
2026-06
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  • How to Read Difficult Books - Ulysses.mp3

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Content

Ulysses is considered to be one of the most difficult books written in English.

And our next discussion will involve one of the most difficult parts of this difficult book.

So it’s worth having a brief discussion on how to approach these challenging works. 

I would also like you ask you:

How difficult is James Joyce's Ulysses?

Audio Timestamps:

  • 0:00 bracing for our next discussion
  • 2:50 confusion is prologue to insight
  • 4:27 Ulysses as objectively difficult book
  • 6:00 expectations & rereading 
  • 7:40 the difficult 'Proteus' episode
  • 9:00 Joyce's feast of language 
  • 9:45 pausing & following rabbit holes 
  • 11:30 perseverance & unfolding meaning
  • 12:40 experimental vs popular fiction
  • 13:50 my definition of mature reading
  • 15:00 why we need difficulty 
  • 16:30 literature as training ground
  • 17:20 why reading is like running
  • 18:00 encouragement & questions for you

Questions for you:

1) Does James Joyce’s novel live up to its reputation as a difficult work of literature?

2) When readers say ‘difficult,’ what are we referring to?

3) And where does it rank among the difficult works of literature you’ve already read? Have you read more difficult books?

Happy reading, everybody!

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Comments

Peter F

For certain, I can not straight read this. No chance. Other literature, no problem. It is a beautiful riddle. Takes time

Elizabeth Madden
>>113222720

Please see Wandering Rocks thread: I read your comments about trying to read Joyce- please see my reply to you.

Peter F

Caveat emptor Many were taken in by Dutch Tulips, the South Seas Company and FTX crypto exchange, so it appears many critics/readers have been duped by Joyce’s “Ulysses”. A great novel…I think not. I have spent two months with this monstrosity (apt description). I read from the Cambridge edition which has accompanying critical essays (the essays are better than the novel). Made copious notes. Also, read through parts of the “Odyssey” (Homer’s work is better). Finally, I listened to Ben’s lectures and read through www.ulyssesguide.com, both much more interesting than this novel. Last night, I read over my notes. I stared at the Cambridge brick. Two chapters remaining. Thought. I have received nothing from this brick. This is an “intellectual exercise” by an overrated author. Clearly, Joyce was skipped during “show and tell” as a young lad in Dublin, so he writes this thing so he can “show” he can recalls obscure references! It is not a “novel”. Joyce clearly had some psychological issues. He makes the reader wade through obscure references, one after another, sometimes 5-6 references in one paragraph. These references do not add to the narrative (if there is a narrative). Joyce does this, because he cannot tell a good story and he really has nothing to say. Reader: What is Joyce trying to say? Is there is a message? No. Just random thoughts floating nowhere. I have a superb education; Two master’s degrees, one in music from an elite school (by the way this is supposed to be a musical novel…not feeling that at all. BTW: “Martha” by Flotow is not a good opera.). I have an outstanding job with a high income. This novel for one moment made me feel inadequate and even stupid. But then, I paused, and I thought: I speak three languages, I understand and thoroughly enjoy Schopenhauer, Nietzsche, Camus, Dostoevsky, et al. Can one understand these Titans and then have the gravitas to say: Joyce…No? Yes. I can say it: Joyce no. There is nothing to find here. Move on. So, if you decide to bear this novel; If you decide to give your precision time to this work, know there is no return on investment. Time is all you have. Prize it above all. Joyce gives you nothing for your time, but that is what he wants. That is his arrogance. He wants you to buy Dutch tulips. This is the single most overrated book in the canon. Period. (Apologies for grammar and spelling. It’s stream of consciousness….)