Embarking on my first encounter with modernist literature, I seek advice on reading and understanding this monumental book. How can I navigate its complexities and gain a comprehensive grasp on the first attempt? Are there articles providing additional context to deepen my understanding? Grateful for any insights or recommendations to ensure a meaningful exploration of this significant piece of literature. Thank you!
I’ve been reading Virginia Woolf’s essay, How it Strikes a Contemporary, and she speaks of the book there: “Ulysses was a memorable catastrophe - immense in daring, terrific in disaster.” The essay was first published in 1925, and Ulysses was first published in parts from 1918 to 1920, and fully in 1922.
I don’t know how Woolf’s comment will strike you, but I use it to justify my ongoing refusal to reconsider reading it. I’ve started it a few times, and never get very far.
Good luck, though.