James Joyce's Ulysses: A Reference Guide by Bernard McKenna
Perhaps the most important literary achievement of the 20th century,
Ulysses is also one of the most challenging. This reference introduces
beginning readers to Joyce and his novel, removes some of the obstacles
readers face when confronting his text, provides background information
to facilitate understanding of the nuances of the book, and illuminates
the critical dialogue surrounding his work. With the help of this
guide, beginning readers will discover the rewards of reading the novel
and find that they outweigh the potential obstacles to understanding
Ulysses. To introduce readers to Joyce and his work, the volume begins
with a short biography and a survey of the importance and cultural
impact of Ulysses. Most beginning readers find it difficult to follow
Joyce's plot, and so they abandon the text in frustration. Thus the
book includes the most detailed available plot summary of Joyce's
novel. The chapters that follow overview the novel's publication
history; its historical and cultural contexts, including Modernism,
Irish literature and history, and political and social trends; major
themes and issues; Joyce's narrative art, including his character
development, language, images, and style; and the academic and critical
response to the work. The volume closes with a bibliographical essay.
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