This was not by any means the most accessible introductory guide to Ulysses.

Its writing style was such that it completely failed to engage the reader. It seemed as if the words on the page were just there, not having the power to draw the reader in and make them interested.

Moreover, its scope was far too narrow. It didn't cover all the aspects that one would expect from a comprehensive introduction to such a complex novel.

Instead of providing a solid and easy-to-follow contextual introduction, the author seemed to just plunge right into his argument without any proper build-up or explanation. This left the reader feeling completely lost and baffled, not knowing what was going on or how to make sense of it all.

For these reasons, it is highly not recommended to first-time readers of Ulysses. They would be better off looking for a more engaging and comprehensive guide to help them understand this great work of literature.

I had a strong desire to peruse a concise and contemporary study of 'Ulysses'. This was because I had ceased reading about it and Joyce sometime during the 1990s, and I was curious to discover the direction that Joycean studies had taken since then. I managed to come across a particular book that I found to be an extremely lucid and enjoyable read. It was truly fascinating to contrast the author's thoughts and insights with my own. This book serves as an excellent first introduction to the subject matter. I would highly recommend it to anyone who has an interest in Joyce or 'Ulysses'.