PB’S REALLY SHORT BLUFFER’S GUIDE TO ULYSSES

I know many people who have a desire to read Ulysses but struggle to find the six months they believe they'll need in their hectic schedules. So, here is a concise version for you. It consists of the first and last lines from each chapter. I was truly struck by how incredibly beautiful these sentences are. Even if you never manage to read the entire Ulysses, you can still get a sense of the essence of this remarkable work right here. Let's begin. (I have also added my own summary of the action in brackets for better understanding.)

CHAPTER ONE

Stately, plump Buck Mulligan came from the stairhead bearing a bowl of lather on which a mirror and a razor lay crossed.

Usurper.

(Stephen and his friend have breakfast and decide to head to town.)

CHAPTER TWO

You, Cochrane, what city sent for him?

On his wise shoulders through the checkerwork of leaves the sun flung spangles, dancing coins.

(Stephen spends the morning teaching history and has to endure his boss, the headmaster, boring him to death.)

CHAPTER THREE

Ineluctable modality of the visible : at least that if no more, thought through my eyes.

Moving through the air high spars of a threemaster, her sails braided up on the crosstrees, homing, upstream, silently moving, a silent ship.

(Stephen strolls to town and contemplates various thoughts.)

CHAPTER FOUR

Mr Leopold Bloom ate with relish the inner organs of beasts and fowls.

Poor Dignam!

(Introducing the rather uninteresting Leopold Bloom and his attractive wife Molly. Has anyone noticed Molly is a total MILF before? This point seems to have eluded the professors.)

CHAPTER FIVE

By lorries along Sir John Rogerson's quay Mr Bloom walked soberly, past Windmill Lane, Leask's, the linseed crushers, the postal telegraph office.

He saw the trunk and limbs riprippled over and sustained, buoyed highly upward, lemonyellow: his navel, bud of flesh : and saw the dark tangled curls of his bush floating, floating hair of the stream around the limp father of thousands, a languid floating flower.

(Bloom visits a public bath and has a moment of self-pleasure. No big deal.)

CHAPTER SIX

Martin Cunningham, first, poked his silkhatted head into the creaking carriage and, entering deftly, seated himself.

How grand we are this morning.

(They all attend a funeral and have morbid thoughts, as one does.)

CHAPTER SEVEN

In the heart of the Hibernian metropolis.

Tickled the old ones too, Myles Crawford said, if the God Almighty’s truth was known!

(Stephen and some rather dull individuals go to a newspaper office and engage in lengthy conversations.)

CHAPTER EIGHT

Pineapple rock, lemon platt, butter scotch.

Safe!

(Bloom goes to a pub for a pint and a pie and is disgusted by the eating habits of his fellow humans. Like you might be.)

CHAPTER NINE

Urbane, to comfort them, the quaker librarian purred :

Laud we the gods and let our crooked smokes climb to their nostrils from our bless’d altars.

(Stephen expounds some rather mind-boggling theories about Shakespeare to some old fools in the library. Read this and you might want to hang yourself. But we're already halfway done!)

CHAPTER TEN

The superior, the Very reverend John Conmee S.J. reset his smooth watch in his interior pocket as he came down the presbytery steps.

On Northumberland and Landsdowne roads His Excellency acknowledged punctually salutes from rare male walkers, the salute of two small schoolboys at the garden gate of the house said to have been admired by the late queen when visiting the Irish capital with her husband, the prince consort, in 1849, and the salute of Almidano Artifoni’s sturdy trousers swallowed by a closing door.

(Many people wander around Dublin. Some take the bus.)

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Bronze by gold heard the hoofirons, steelyringing.

Done.

(Bloom visits yet another pub. He fancies the barmaids.)

CHAPTER TWELVE

I was just passing the time of day with old Troy of the D.M.P. at the corner of Arbour hill there and be damned but a bloody sweep came along and he near drove his gear into my eye.

And they beheld Him, even Him, ben Bloom Elijah, amid clouds of angels ascend to the glory of the brightness at an angle of fortyfive degrees over Donohoe’s in Little Green Street like a shot off a shovel.

(To put it simply, this chapter is full of arguments. These Irish guys sure know how to argue.)

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

The summer evening had begun to fold the world in its mysterious embrace.

Cuckoo.

(Bloom is walking along the seafront and ogling a teenage girl. He gives himself a sly touch, as some might do. Well, you might. I would never do that.)

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Deshil Holles Eamus.

Just you try it on.

(Stephen and his drinking buddies are around the maternity hospital. Guess what? More drinking and chatting. Oh my.)

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

The Mabbot street entrance of nighttown, before which stretches an uncobbled tramsiding set with skeleton tracks, red and green will-o’-the-wisps and danger signals.

A white lamkbin peeps out of his waistcoat pocket.

(This is the Freud-on-Acid section. Bloom and some other random guys go to the red light district to continue their revelry. However, there isn't much in the way of lapdancing or actual sex, sorry to disappoint.)

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Preparatory to anything else Mr Bloom brushed off the greater bulk of the shavings and handed Stephen the hat and ashplant and bucked him up generally in orthodox Samaritan fashion, which he very badly needed.

As they walked, they at times stopped and walked again, continuing their tete-a-tete (which of course he was utterly out of), about sirens, enemies of man’s reason, mingled with a number of other topics of the same category, usurpers, historical cases of the kind while the man in the sweeper car or you might as well call it in the sleeper car who in any case couldn’t possibly hear because they were too far simply sat in his seat near the end of Lower Gardiner Street and looked after their lowbacked car.

(They're all quite drunk, rambling, and exhausted, so this chapter is written in a deliberately boring way. You can tell, can't you? I mean, what author does that? I mean, forget that.)

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

What parallel courses did Bloom and Stephen follow returning?

Where?

(Bloom is taking Stephen back to his house to stay because Stephen doesn't want to go back to his own place as he's annoyed with his friend. This chapter is written in a question and answer format and is supposed to reveal the secrets of the universe or something along those lines. By now, who really cares.)

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Yes because he never did a thing like that before as ask to get his breakfast in bed with a couple of eggs

yes and his heart was going like mad and yes I said yes I will Yes.

(I had to cheat here as the last ninety-page chapter doesn't have any punctuation. Well done, JJ. Anyways, this is pure stream-of-consciousness as Molly Bloom takes over. If you can get into it, it's not too bad, but ninety pages is a bit much.)

There you have it. Now you can say, "I haven't read Ulysses but I have read the first and the last sentences of every chapter." See how this impresses your friends! Or perhaps it will make them think you're a little crazy.

I finished ahead of schedule in reading Ulysses, and I only have (as he says) the final two chapters, namely \\"Ithaca\\" and \\"Penelope\\" left to go.

The good news is that if you're seeking someone to assist you while reading Joyce's classic, this is about as straightforward a guide as you'll come across.

However, the bad news is that the publisher, Routledge, has set a price of $36 for this rather unassuming little (250-page) paperback. It reminds me of the university bookstore, where everything, whether it's a paperback or not, is regarded as a \\"textbook\\" and thus suitable for \\"textbook\\" (which really means \\"legal robbery\\") prices. It's quite shameless.

In conclusion, if possible, it would be best to borrow this guide rather than purchasing it at such an exorbitant price.

What's not to like about a plain-language walkthrough on one of the greatest and most complicated works of English literature? It seems like a great idea in theory.

However, when it comes to actually reading it, is it a fun experience? Well, not really. The walkthrough may be useful in helping us understand the complex plot and characters of the work, but it may lack the excitement and engagement that we expect from a truly enjoyable read.

Nevertheless, it still has its value. It can serve as a guide for those who are struggling to make sense of the original text or for those who want to gain a deeper understanding of the work without having to spend countless hours poring over the details.

In conclusion, while a plain-language walkthrough on a great work of English literature may not be the most fun read, it can still be a useful tool for those who are interested in exploring and understanding the work.

If only I'd had a copy of this book when I was reading Ulysses some years ago.

That experience could have been truly transformed. The book, Ulysses, remains the most amazing one I have ever read.

It is a literary masterpiece that challenges and intrigues the mind.

And to think this guide has been around for 45 years!

It is a testament to its value and importance.

With its help, readers can gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of the complex and multi-layered text.

It provides insights into the characters, themes, and literary devices used by James Joyce.

It would have been a great companion during my reading journey, enhancing my enjoyment and making the experience even more memorable.

I highly recommend this guide to anyone who wants to explore the world of Ulysses.

**Original Article**: This is a simple article. It talks about a few things. It's not very long.

**Expanded Article**:

This is a rather simple article.

It delves into a few different things.

Although it is not overly long, it still manages to convey some information.

Perhaps it could be further developed to provide more in-depth details and exploration.

Nonetheless, it serves as a starting point for a discussion or a brief overview of the topics it touches upon.

With a bit more elaboration and expansion, it could potentially become a more comprehensive and engaging piece of writing.

As it stands now, it offers a basic understanding of the subject matter and leaves room for further exploration and analysis.

This book is specifically designed for those individuals who are currently reading (or are in the process of preparing to read) the renowned novel Ulysses. It offers a much more straightforward approach compared to Gilbert's guide, although it may not be as exhaustive.

Potentially, one could read this book independently and grasp all the major themes and ideas of the novel without spending excessive time, getting confused, or having to wade through numerous pages. However, it truly shines when used as a companion piece to the actual novel.

I made the decision to reread Ulysses to commemorate its 100th anniversary. The first time I delved into this literary masterpiece, I utilized Stuart Gilbert's guide to aid me in my understanding. This time around, I decided to give Blamire's book a try, and I found it to be an enjoyable read as well. Additionally, I listened to a lecture series from The Great Courses.

Surprisingly, I found that I enjoyed this book even more during this second reading. It provided new insights and perspectives that enhanced my overall experience of reading Ulysses.

Ulysses is a very helpful book during the reading process.

However, my advice to those who will read it is this: This book is not an explainer of Ulysses but a reading aid. The interpretations made by the author and the meanings he derives from the text may not coincide with James Joyce's intention. I recommend that you do not substitute your own interpretations.

The reason I gave it 4 stars is also because sometimes it gets lost in excessive interpretations and sometimes it does not mention important points and connections that are emphasized in other sources.

Overall, while it can be a useful companion for reading Ulysses, it should be used with a critical eye and not taken as the definitive guide to the novel.

Essential for the Ulysses neophyte, like me.

Don't attempt Ulysses without reading this alongside. Some people, understandably, won't read books that require additional explanatory texts. Shakespeare, we all know, can be completely incomprehensible without the side-by-side notes, and no fun or spoiled when rendered in updated English.

But this essential précis illuminates and 100% enhances one's pleasure from the Ulysses experience. It's a fact. Most attention is paid to the extremely difficult chapters such as Oxen of the Sun, Circe, and Eumaeus. And often the summation barely matches up to the text.

However, The New Bloomsday Book is entirely necessary to comprehend the subtle, esoteric parody skills Joyce is laying down, especially in Oxen, perhaps the hardest overall chapter. Sadly, the book is out of print or merely expensive.

An updated Idiot's Guide is needed. Perhaps all us Ulysses lovers on GR can come together and write one? And whittle it down to under 2000 pages?

This would be a great service to all those who want to explore the wonderful world of Ulysses but are daunted by its complexity.

Mind-bogglingly meticulous, this individual is truly remarkable. They have an uncanny ability to point out the most minor inconsistencies in lore and callbacks that I didn't even notice. It's as if they have a magnifying glass for every little detail. However, what sets them apart is that they never become self-indulgent with interpretive flights of fancy. Their analysis is always grounded and based on the facts presented in the book.

I have to give this person 5 stars. Not only did they make me love a book that I otherwise might have only liked, but they also made me finish a book that I might have otherwise given up on. Their insights and observations added a whole new layer of depth and enjoyment to the reading experience. Thanks to them, I was able to fully appreciate the nuances and subtleties of the story.

At first, I completely dismissed Harry Blamires's work, The New Bloomsday Book. A Guide through Ulysses. I regarded it as a huge spoiler, a book seemingly written solely for those lazy individuals who find it far more convenient to acquire second-hand knowledge about famous literary works rather than taking the time and effort to read the actual book itself.

However, something unexpected happened. This very book gave me the strong impulse to re-read Joyce, and what a remarkable joy that turned out to be. As I delved back into Joyce's masterpiece with the help of Blamires's guide, I began to see the depth and beauty of the work in a whole new light.

It was as if a new world had opened up before me. I found myself grateful to Blamires for providing this valuable resource that enhanced my reading experience. And so, despite my initial misgivings, I hereby grant this book three full stars

This book has been truly excellent since the beginning of my long journey with the story of (Aulis). Its advantage is that the average reader can return to it chapter by chapter whenever understanding is lost here or there. It is also extremely useful for those who are taking their first steps towards the complex and intricate world of (Aulis). However, of course, this is after they have read Joyce's early works.

This detailed and engaging book provides a valuable resource for both casual readers and those more deeply interested in exploring the world of (Aulis). The ability to revisit specific chapters allows for a more in-depth understanding of the story and its various elements.

For those new to the world of (Aulis), it serves as a guide, helping them navigate through the complex narrative and gain a better appreciation for the richness and depth of Joyce's creation.

Overall, this book is a must-read for anyone interested in Joyce's works and the fascinating world of (Aulis).

This can be a highly beneficial crib for an intimidated first-time reader of Ulysses.

It is advisable to utilize it as a gloss for the initial few chapters or thereabouts.

By that time, you will have somewhat adapted yourself to the requirements of the novel and ought to be capable of setting aside the guide.

However, do not depend on it throughout your entire first reading of Ulysses unless you are not reading for enjoyment.

The complexity of Ulysses can be overwhelming, but this crib provides a useful starting point.

It offers explanations and clarifications that can assist in understanding the text.

As you progress through the first few chapters with the help of this crib, you will gradually become more familiar with the style and themes of the novel.

This will enable you to develop your own interpretations and engage more deeply with the text.

Remember, the goal is to eventually be able to read Ulysses independently and fully appreciate its literary value.

So, use the crib as a temporary aid and then venture forth on your own reading journey.