James Joyce's Ulysses: A Study

This study was written by Gilbert with Joyce's approval; the two worked together on the French translation of "Ulysses": with such an endorsement it is bound to be worthy of a place on a shelf with the rest of Joyce criticism.

I very much recommend reading this first -- before jumping into Ulysses. Well written by a friend of Joyce'

As is well known, Joyce’s Ulysses did not obtain canonical status upon publication. The obscenities and blasphemies contained within led to its being censored in many countries (including the US).Amidst this controversy, Stuart Gilbert published this authorized study of the work. Because of the then lack of access to the source he included extensive quotations. He also tended to deemphasize its controversial sections while emphasizing its more ingenious aspects.Still, it provides the proverbial thread through Joyce’s living labyrinth. Gilbert points out arcane elements like that every rhetorical device discussed by Aristotle is provided in one chapter. Or, that the first and last three chapters mirror each other’s structure. Most importantly, the discussion of many Dublin sites and their significance make for essential reading for the non-Irish reader.In short, it brings out how Joyce presented the full modern worldview in his epic: scientific, literary and historical. It’s beyond useful for a work well known for its difficulty. But the prospective reader should keep in mind that a lot of space is devoted to defending and quoting Ulysses instead of simply appreciating it as a classic.

Speedy service and rapid delivery. Enlightened annotations made reading the original Joyce a sheer delight with many enlightening insights. A must companion for "Ulysses."

Great resource for the novel. Very erudite and useful for a first time or returning reader.

A thorough, even if biased, guide, by an insider, to the complexities of the greatest twentieth-century novel in English.

James Joyce's Ulysses: A Study This guide to Joyce's Ulysses by Stuart Gilbert is outstanding. Is is a thoughtful, scholarly piece of work, demonstrating the writer's passion for his subject as well as his care in being academically sound. Gilbert knew Joyce personally, and cleared his comments and interpretations with the writer, sometimes being guided by him where something was unclear to him.One should be mindful, of course, of the fact that the writer is not necessarily the best guide to or judge of his or her own work. The completed work of art must make its way in the world like a child must on its own two feet. Readers may find elements in the work that the writer possibly did not intend; equally, the writer may have had intentions that did not realise. Nonetheless, it is interesting to know what the writer did have in mind, and Gilbert does a sterling job at conveying this. One is also guided through the correspondences to Homer's Odyssey.It is enlightening to have comments on the many different types of rhetoric that Joyce employs with such eloquence and brio. And to be reminded that this is, among other things, a work of comic genius. I heartily recommend this guide both to lovers of Joyce and those who have yet to meet him. Do not delay!Marié Heese

And I really hate calling it that, since this book, a thick paperback, was obviously carefully and comprehensively written by a man who was deeply immersed in and respectful of his subject. But my verdict stands.The reason I call book useless is that, believe it or not, it's almost as impenetrable as the text it purports to explain! Perhaps this was because the author, Stuart Gilbert, was actually a friend of Joyce's, and Joyce actually helped him write it. Note also that it was written only 8 years after the publication of "Ulysses" -- in 1930.As such, it was seminal in laying out a lot of the main themes of the novel (Gilbert's famous "schemata" is still referred to these days). Seminal, yeah -- but the tone, level, and direction of Joyce criticism (not to mention the literary preparation of would-be exegetes of "Ulysses") have undergone much change in the last 75 years, to say the least.Sound flippant? Well, be aware that, in addition to being completely conversant with all of English and continental literature, Gilbert expects you to be able to negotiate classical Greek, Latin, French, Italian, and German, much as "Ulysses" does. Quotations and allusions in these languages are liberally sprinkled throughout the book -- and the footnotes explaning them contain not translations but even more abstruse glosses!The whole premise is ridiculous. I can't see who would possibly be helped by this book, despite the fact that nearly all of the various editions of "Ulysses" cite it as helpful secondary reading. For accomplished critics, perhaps. But for the average reader out there, the searingly obviously problem is that anybody in possession of the cultural firepower and reading acumen needed to read this book . . . would have no need of its insights! If you can understand Gilbert, you sure as a shot could understand Joyce without much assistance. Was Gilbert writing to himself?Yes, best steer thee elsewhere. There's something out there called the "New Bloomsday Book" (careful you don't unnecessarily buy the hardback), which most students these days find far more helpful and more in consonance with their needs and sensibilities.Of the various kinds of "Cliff's Notes" out there, probably the most useful is the original, the black-and-yellow striped "Cliff's Notes," followed closely by the "ClassicNotes." Avoid the Sparknotes and the Barron's.

I remember reading this backin 71 when I was independent study with the Chair of the English Department at DeMatha Catholic High School. That year he and I read over 120 primary sources: all of Ibsen, DIckens, Tolstoy, Dostoyevsky, Kafka, and meaning others, including all of Joyce. Yes, eve, Finnegans Wake. I’m now diving back into Ulysses and then Finnegans Wake. “…Riverrun, past Eve and Adam’s, from swerve of shore to bend of bay, brings us by a commodious vicus back to…”rereading two of the most profound pieces of prose written in the English language and the Gilbert book is essential for those who don’t just stop at Chapter 4.

I give this books four stars because the editorial house (Vintage) did an awful job: the paper is cheap and uncomfortable to read because it’s gray, the ink is not well printed so it’s more gray than black, and a page was printed downwards.

Excelente guia para compreensão da obra Ulisses de Joyce. Obra escrita em 1930 com ajuda do próprio James Joyce. Imperdível!!

Ok

Ce livre permet de mieux comprendre l'énorme et touffu livre de Joyce.Je le lis en parallèle.Sans lui je j'aurais abandonné.