Plot Summary

A Painful Case

James Joyce
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A Painful Case

Fiction | Short Story | Adult | Published in 1914

Book Brief

James Joyce

A Painful Case

Fiction | Short Story | Adult | Published in 1914
Book Details
Pages

13

Format

Short Story • Fiction

Publication Year

1914

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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Super Short Summary

"A Painful Case" by James Joyce is about Mr. James Duffy, a solitary, meticulous man who befriends Mrs. Sinico, a married woman. As they develop a deeper intellectual and emotional connection, Duffy becomes uncomfortable with the intimacy and ends the relationship. Years later, he learns of her tragic death, leading him to confront his own loneliness and emotional isolation.

Melancholic

Contemplative

Unnerving

Bittersweet

Reviews & Readership

3.8

464 ratings

62%

Loved it

28%

Mixed feelings

10%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

Readers and critics appreciate the psychological depth and emotional nuance in James Joyce's A Painful Case. The story's exploration of loneliness and regret resonates deeply. However, some find the plot slow and the protagonist's introspection excessive. Overall, the narrative is praised for its rich character study and impactful themes.

Who should read this

Who Should Read A Painful Case?

A reader who would enjoy James Joyce's A Painful Case appreciates intricate character studies, themes of isolation, and the subtleties of human emotions. Fans of introspective literature like Virginia Woolf's Mrs. Dalloway or F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby will find this story compelling with its profound psychological depth and social critique.

3.8

464 ratings

62%

Loved it

28%

Mixed feelings

10%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

13

Format

Short Story • Fiction

Publication Year

1914

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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