75 pages • 2 hours read
Ulysses
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Book Brief
783
Novel • Fiction
Dublin, Ireland • 1900s
1922
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
Ulysses by James Joyce, adapted loosely from Homer’s The Odyssey, details a single day in Dublin, June 16, 1904, exploring the lives of multiple characters, primarily Stephen Dedalus, a struggling teacher and artist, and Leopold Bloom, a Jewish advertising agent. As their paths cross through various events and personal reflections, the novel depicts their complex inner lives, thoughts, and experiences in a stream-of-consciousness style. The book contains references to miscarriage, child death, suicide, blackface, and antisemitism.
Challenging
Mysterious
Contemplative
Bittersweet
Playful
Reviews & Readership
134,193 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
James Joyce's Ulysses is often hailed as a masterpiece of modernist literature, showcasing impressive narrative experimentation and profound depth. However, its dense prose and intricate structure can be challenging, potentially alienating some readers. The novel's intellectual rigor and innovative style are frequently praised, though this complexity may not appeal to every literary taste.
Who Should Read Ulysses?
A reader who enjoys Ulysses by James Joyce often appreciates intricate narratives, stream-of-consciousness writing, and profound explorations of human consciousness. Fans of Virginia Woolf's Mrs. Dalloway or Marcel Proust's In Search of Lost Time will likely revel in Joyce's innovative literary techniques and complex character studies.
134,193 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Stephen Dedalus
Stephen Dedalus
A young, aspiring artist and teacher struggling with grief and self-identity, whose intellectual pursuits and internal conflicts are explored as he moves through Dublin.
Molly Bloom
Molly Bloom
The wife of Leopold, whose presence and relationships, particularly her affair, significantly influence the narrative, culminating in a revealing stream-of-consciousness monologue.
Blazes Boylan
Blazes Boylan
A charismatic but coarse man known for his social charm and involved in a contentious affair, which impacts the lives and emotions of the Blooms.
783
Novel • Fiction
Dublin, Ireland • 1900s
1922
Adult
18+ years
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