Description
Book SynopsisMarking the centenary of Ireland’s – and possibly the world’s – most famous novel, this joyful introductory guide opens up Ulysses to a whole new readership, offering insight into the literary, historical and cultural elements at play in James Joyce’s masterwork.
Both eloquent and erudite, this book is an initiation into the wonders of Joyce’s writing and of the world that inspired it, written by Daniel Mulhall, Ireland’s ambassador to the United States and an advocate for Irish literature around the world.
One hundred years on from that novel’s first publication, Ulysses: A Reader’s Odyssey takes us on a journey through one of the twentieth century’s greatest works of fiction. Exploring the eighteen chapters of the novel and using the famous structuring principle of Homer’s Odyssey as our guide, Daniel Mulhall releases Ulysses from its reputation of impenetrability, and shows us the pleasure it can offer us as readers.
Trade ReviewI can take heart from Dan Mulhall, Ireland’s ambassador to the US, whose Ulysses: A Reader’s Odyssey is just published. He takes a practical approach: if some bits of the book prove just too baffling, simply bin them and skip on a few pages.
-- Jude Webber * Financial Times *
Powerfully, [Mulhall] argues that Joyce and Ireland for him are indissociable and that he retains a burning relevance today.
-- Anne Fogarty * The Irish Times *
....an excellent guide through daunting terrain.
-- Pat Carty * Hot Press *
...releases the great masterpiece from its reputation of impentrability. An affectionate, accessible tribute.
-- JP O'Malley * Sunday Independent *
Ambassador Mulhall cleverly decodes all 18 episodes of the novel, providing personal and funny insights that contextualize and illuminate Joyce’s text, making you want to pick up "Ulysses" again.
-- Ted Smyth * Irish Central *
An informed, enjoyable guide, it homes in on Ulysses’ emotional core […] A convivial companion to help navigate Joyce’s masterpiece.
-- Dermot Bolger * Irish Independent *
Never has a visit to the attic proven so educational.
-- Dermot Keyes * Waterford News and Star *
This book is a delightful, chatty introduction to the wonderful world of James Joyce’s Ulysses
-- Felix M. Larkin * The Irish Catholic *
James Joyce’s magnus opus remains in need of chaperones. This is certainly one of the better ones available — highly readable, personable and well researched.
-- Kevin Power * The Times (UK) *
‘In this genial, largely first-person narrative, based on Mulhall’s experience of discussing Ulysses .. during his international postings, he argues that Joyce is a significant asset for the “soft power” of the Irish state.’
-- Emer Nolan * The Times Literary Supplement *
Mulhall brings a historian’s eye to Joyce’s text, rather than that of a literary critic, and he writes about Ulysses with exuberance and evident enjoyment.
-- David Blake Knox * Dublin Review of Books *
