I would highly recommend this as a valuable guide to read in conjunction with Ulysses for those who are making their first attempt to read it independently. It is extremely succinct and offers great assistance in explaining the major themes, symbols, and connections with the Odyssey, among other aspects. Its (relative) brevity was beneficial for me in navigating through the novel. However, due to its concise nature, (1) it is clearly not comprehensive by any means (although it is challenging to envision how lengthy a truly comprehensive account would be), and (2) when it delves into more nuanced or complex concepts, it has a tendency to be rather confusing as sometimes it is just a little *too* brief.

While my Ulysses/COVID19 book group didn't rely solely on The New Bloomsday Book for every interpretation, we were truly grateful for its presence.

Generally, our practice was to read a portion of the summary and then proceed to read the corresponding section in Ulysses, accompanied by an outstanding audio version (such as Jim Norton and Marcella Riordan's). We utilized (and indeed needed, and ultimately relished) all the available tools.

However, it's important to note that The New Bloomsday Book is not just a useful aid; it is also a remarkable piece of reading in its own right. It offers unique insights and perspectives that enhance the overall understanding and enjoyment of Ulysses.

Whether you're a seasoned Joyce enthusiast or a newcomer to his works, this book is well worth exploring. It provides a valuable resource for anyone looking to delve deeper into the complex and fascinating world of Ulysses.

So, if you haven't yet discovered The New Bloomsday Book, I highly recommend giving it a try. You may be surprised at how much it enriches your reading experience.

For a first reading of Ulysses (attempting to read it xx years ago doesn't count...), this has been an absolutely irreplaceable guide and I can't recommend it highly enough.

Blamires, despite his own philosophical world view (see his bibliography), is a tremendously intelligent guy (to judge by reading this book). He is also a fine Joycean scholar.

Yet the book does not read like scholarship. Instead, it is rather like following an experienced guide on a relatively brief tour through a foreign city. The author manages to break down the complex and often晦涩的 text of Ulysses into understandable chunks, providing valuable insights and explanations along the way.

Whether you are a seasoned Joyce enthusiast or a complete novice, this guide is sure to enhance your reading experience and deepen your understanding of one of the greatest works of modern literature. It is a must-read for anyone interested in Joyce or modernist literature in general.

An excellent guide is presented here. It offers fairly literal scene-by-scene summaries. This is extremely useful if you are reading Joyce's big book for the very first time or at any time without the advantage of having a good professor by your side. The author, Blamires, is not just an ordinary writer. He is an excellent critic. He is not some hack who simply has a knack for paraphrasing. His in-depth understanding and analysis add great value to the guide. With his help, readers can better navigate through the complex and often challenging text of Joyce's work. Whether you are a novice or an experienced reader, this guide can provide you with valuable insights and a deeper appreciation of Joyce's masterpiece.