I participated in an online reading group called “Ulysses in 80 Days” to read the famous novel Ulysses.

It was an astonishing feat that I managed to complete this hefty book with its numerous pages and the often unhinged stream of consciousness.

It was indeed a brilliant yet maddening slog.

Under the influence of Joyce, I suddenly viewed all the modernists I had read before in a completely different light.

Truly, this book is a paradigm-shifting game changer that has had a profound impact on Western literature ever since.

However, the question remains: did I enjoy it? Well, sometimes I did.

I absolutely adored Molly. Her soliloquy at the end was a masterstroke, taking us out in a grand and magnificent style.

It was a fitting conclusion to a remarkable literary journey.

Overall, reading Ulysses was an experience that I will never forget, despite its challenges.

It has broadened my understanding of literature and opened my eyes to new possibilities.

I am grateful to have had the opportunity to read this iconic work.

If you are a Joyce fan, then this book is an absolute must-read. Joyce was a born genius, widely regarded as one of the greatest writers of all time. He was not only extremely talented but also deeply devoted to his family.

This book provides a very long and detailed account of his life, including his continual financial and health struggles. Despite these difficulties, Joyce was still able to produce some of the best literature ever written, all while maintaining his unique Irish wit in his works and addressing his friends and family.

Ellmann painstakingly researched the details of Joyce's life, revealing the challenges that come with having a creatively genius mind. He shows how Joyce struggled to make a living and find the time to write, all while creating masterpieces like Ulysses and Finnegan's Wake.

One of my favorite passages in the book comes after Joyce's final move to Zurich, just before his death during the turmoil of Hitler's regime. In this passage, Joyce eloquently articulates the difference between the joy of youth and that of a man who has lived a full life.

Joyce was back in the city where he and Nora had come thirty-six years before, full of energy and hope. He had spent the years of the First World War there, arrogant in the flush of his own genius. Now, however, he knew too much for arrogance. He arrived broken and sick, prematurely aged, among the scenes of his past strength.

This passage beautifully captures the essence of Joyce's life and the evolution of his character. It is a testament to his talent and the power of his writing. Overall, this book is a fascinating and engaging read for anyone interested in Joyce or the history of literature.

Honestly, I never in my wildest dreams thought I'd manage to read an entire, massive biography of James Joyce. Yet, here we are, and here I am, having accomplished what I set out to do during my (albeit brief) summer break from my day jobs during the school year. And boy, did this book truly deliver.

"James Joyce," by Richard Ellmann, does an excellent job of bringing Joyce, the author of some of the greatest and most challenging books in the English language, to life as if he were a character straight out of his own fiction. Employing the same style he later used in his biography of Oscar Wilde, Ellmann delves into Joyce's life with exhaustive (albeit at times exhausting) detail. He recounts Joyce's movements around Ireland and Europe as he evolved into the writer who would pen such classics as "Dubliners" and "Ulysses." We see Joyce navigate life as a self-proclaimed genius, a trait that could have been obnoxious if he hadn't backed it up with his remarkable works.

Joyce was, to be frank, a bit of a pedantic bore in some respects, and seemed to view owing debts as a natural part of life. I'm relieved he was never in my social or family circle, as he would have hit up anyone and everyone for a little extra cash if he needed it. His wife and kids had to endure the constant uncertainty of his debt-ridden existence, even after a wealthy benefactor came to support him and his work. And his children never fully escaped their father's shadow, with his daughter struggling with mental health issues and his son floundering in various careers.

But there's no denying that the man could write. I've read three of his four major works, and I think I appreciate two of them. "Dubliners" is a masterpiece of short stories, while "A Portrait of the Artist As a Young Man" was a hate-read for me. It was so infuriating that I had to finish it just to feel like I'd committed to wasting my time with it. "Ulysses" was a book I didn't technically finish, but I read 95 percent of it and, more importantly, enjoyed it on a playful-literary level. However, I got tired of it towards the end, especially when I reached the stream-of-consciousness last section and decided to call it quits. Will I be tempted to try "Finnegans Wake" after reading about it in this biography? Probably not, to be honest. But I don't need to read it to appreciate what Ellmann has accomplished here. He takes us on Joyce's journey from birth to death, covering all the various events and experiences in between. This is a masterclass in how to write a literary biography of an important writer whose life influenced his work and whose work, in turn, influenced his times. "James Joyce" may not seem appealing at 744 pages of text, but it proved to be an incredibly edifying read for me.

A fascinating man, and a good biography. Ellman is, at times, egregiously one-sided in his praise for Joyce and detestation of critical views.

Particularly when it comes to Joyce's sexist remarks, which I didn't realize were so bad at times. However, he writes well and does a great job of using various letters and details to tell Joyce's story.

This book compelled me to think deeply about Joyce as both a person and a writer. It helped clarify and update my ideas on both fronts.

As a person, I believe the young Joyce's spirit, optimism, and sense of humor offer a truly inspiring model of how to live. But as he aged and achieved fame, he became too egoistic and dismissive of others. Nevertheless, there is always a sense of his prevailing spirit and radical honesty.

Learning about Joyce's writing process, his vision for his works, and his criticism of other writers was also enlightening. In general, reading this book left me with a greater appreciation of Joyce's works than before, though not in every area.

Both "Portrait" and "Dubliners" now make more sense to me in terms of Joyce's development. I thought Ellman's writing on "The Dead" was one of the book's best sections.

Ellman's presentation emphasized the importance of the various mythic structures and correspondences in "Ulysses" in a way that made more sense to me than Armstrong's approach in class, thereby enhancing my appreciation of them.

The parts of "Ulysses" that didn't come off as well to me were the more purely conceptual chapters like "Oxen of the Sun" and "Sirens". Reading Joyce and reading about Joyce always make me ponder the border between art that is conceptually interesting and well-executed and art that is just conceptually interesting.

I think among "modern" artists across various art forms, Joyce manages to do the former better than anyone else. But reading about the way he formulated "Oxen of the Sun" and "Sirens" left me more convinced that he went too far in the purely conceptual direction in those chapters.

However, in the other direction, I am more convinced of the greatness of "Circe", "Ithaca", and "Penelope", among others. Ellman's own writing on "Finnegan's Wake" was far too one-sided.

But reading more about Joyce's thinking and some of the criticisms he faced helped me better understand it. I don't think it shifted me in a distinctly positive or negative direction overall.

My main takeaways are: a) how incredible a technical achievement it is, b) how fascinating a conceptual idea it is (the night/dream thing is so important), and c) how absurd it is to expect readers to come close to fully appreciating it.

This review is becoming too long and disorganized, but suffice it to say that the best thing about this book was how much thinking it inspired about Joyce and his works. He is a person and writer who rewards reading and thinking about like few others, and this book did an outstanding job of helping me do so.

"Fantástico" is an outstanding work that stands as one of the most comprehensive biographies of Joyce.

This biography delves deep into the life and times of Joyce, uncovering the various aspects that shaped his remarkable literary career.

It explores his early years, his struggles and triumphs, and the influences that contributed to his unique writing style.

With meticulous research and engaging storytelling, the author brings Joyce's world to life, allowing readers to gain a profound understanding of this literary giant.

"Fantástico" is not only a valuable resource for scholars and enthusiasts of Joyce's work but also a captivating read for anyone interested in the history of literature and the life of a great artist.

It offers a rare glimpse into the mind and soul of Joyce, making it an essential addition to any literary collection.

Whether you are a seasoned Joyce aficionado or new to his work, "Fantástico" is sure to leave you with a newfound appreciation for his genius and the significance of his contributions to the literary canon.

I truly have the feeling that I have lived Joyce's life right along with him. This biography is nothing short of tremendous and utterly absorbing.

It delves deep into the various aspects of Joyce's existence, painting a vivid and detailed picture of his experiences, emotions, and struggles.

The author has done an outstanding job of bringing Joyce to life on the pages, making it possible for the reader to step into his shoes and understand his world.

From his early days to his later years, every moment is captured with such precision and authenticity that it's as if we are witnesses to his journey.

Whether it's his relationships, his creative process, or his battles with personal and professional challenges, this biography leaves no stone unturned.

It is a must-read for anyone interested in Joyce or in the power of a well-told story.

Once you pick it up, you won't be able to put it down until you've reached the very end.

Let me explain my rating.

This is easily a six-star book.

I can't imagine anybody doing more research or knowing more about the subject.

The author has clearly delved deep into the life and works of Joyce, presenting a wealth of information that is both fascinating and enlightening.

However, I do wish there was more literary analysis mixed into the soup.

While the book provides a comprehensive overview of Joyce's life, it sometimes lacks a more in-depth exploration of his writing style and techniques.

But that's just my personal preference.

Anyone who wants to learn about Joyce's life can't go wrong here.

The book is filled with hundreds of details and names that you're probably going to forget, but that's just a testament to the thoroughness of the research.

Overall, it's a great read for anyone interested in Joyce or Irish literature in general.

Ellmann's literary biography is truly captivating, much like its subject matter. It is well worth the investment of our time and effort. James Joyce was an extraordinary figure, an incandescent illuminator of both interior and exterior worlds. He was a lexical magpie, gathering words with great enthusiasm, and a polymath with extensive knowledge. However, as Ellmann makes clear, he also had his flaws. He was litigious, superstitious, and a misogynist sponger. We should be cautious about what we learn about our heroes.

Ellmann takes great care to展示给我们一段来自那部语言“噩梦”《芬尼根的守灵夜》中最美丽（且易懂）的段落。安娜·利维娅·普鲁拉贝尔章节的一段长篇节选，对于乔伊斯的新手来说是一个轻松的入门。

不过，这部传记的翻译并不一致。虽然用德语或意大利语写的信件或书评中的段落被翻译了，但简短的法语片段往往没有翻译——这也许是对普通读者技能的一种假设。此外（也许部分是由于为1982年版添加了新材料），脚注、尾注以及脚注的尾注可能会失控。在星号和剑号之后，谁知道还有那么多其他的脚注符号呢？

James Joyce was truly a remarkable figure. He was the epitome of the avant-garde, uncompromising artist. He eschewed having a regular day job, with only brief stints of teaching and a couple of months in a bank. Instead, he relied on handouts from his brother and a few wealthy American women to sustain his life.

Yet, despite this rather unconventional means of support, Joyce lived a life that was in many ways conformist. He abstained from drugs, affairs, and a bizarre sex life. However, it should be noted that he did have a rather vivid and, at times, rather strange fantasy life.

His financial situation was constantly precarious, which led him to move his family from one cheap flat to another and from one European town to the next. But throughout it all, he remained completely confident in his own genius, and rightfully so.

Joyce took his time in producing his works. Apart from a few poems and a play, he left behind just four major works: Dubliners, A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man, Ulysses, and Finnegans Wake. Each of these works was a radical departure from the previous one, with Joyce constantly pushing the boundaries of literature.

Dubliners was a collection of short stories that was both painful and filled with a sense of mystery. The language was described by John Gross as mimicking "the moral conditions which it describes by means of strategically-placed cliches, shabby-genteel euphemisms, jog-trot repetitions".

A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man was an autobiographical novel that dealt with themes of religious oppression and artistic hubris. The language was intense, but the hero, Stephen Dedalus, could be rather boring.

Ulysses, however, was Joyce's masterpiece. It was the most outrageous, beautiful, and funniest novel ever written. But it was also extremely difficult to read, and required a guide to fully understand. Joyce bragged that his book would keep the professors busy for a hundred years, and he was not wrong.

The novel was filled with all kinds of literary devices and references, and changed style almost every chapter. It was also brutally honest about the way people think and act, which led to it being banned for many years.

Finally, there was Finnegans Wake, the most difficult of Joyce's works. It was so difficult that very few people have actually read it. But for those who are brave enough to attempt it, there are rewards to be found.

In conclusion, James Joyce was a true genius, and his works continue to inspire and challenge readers today. Whether you love him or hate him, there is no denying the impact that he has had on the world of literature.

Love biography and as a lifelong student AND reader of James Joyce - a must.

James Joyce is a literary giant whose works have had a profound impact on the world of literature. His unique writing style and complex themes have fascinated readers for decades.

As a lifelong student and reader of Joyce, I have delved deep into his works, exploring the rich tapestry of his characters and their experiences.

Love biography is another passion of mine. I am intrigued by the lives of great artists and writers, and how their personal experiences influenced their work.

By studying the love biographies of James Joyce, we can gain a deeper understanding of his creative process and the forces that shaped his life and work.

In conclusion, if you are a lover of literature and a student of the human condition, then reading about the life and work of James Joyce, through his love biographies, is an absolute must.

James Joyce had both formidable weaknesses and towering strengths. In this exquisite archeological dig, it was discovered that his weaknesses were mined to feed his strengths. The thoroughly captivating portrait of Joyce in this work made me dread turning the last page. It celebrated his work and achievement without lionizing him.

As Joyce matured, I felt a sense of being present with him in the spirit and pace of Ellmann's telling. In fact, I was certain I caught sight of J lounging on my sofa. At first, he was a shimmering vapor. As time passed, he gradually dandified himself jauntily and humorously in rather overdone silk pajamas. James Joyce seemed to be reincarnated in all of his complex and devilish glory.

Or maybe there's no difference between the living and the dead, and mine was simply one of his revolving addresses. I think this would tickle our pal Jim.

"P.S. The devil mostly speaks a language of his own called Bellyshabble which he makes up himself as he goes along but when he is very angry he can speak quite bad French very well though some who have heard him say that he has a strong Dublin accent." James Joyce, "The Cat and the Devil", written to Stephen, his grandson.

Ellman's James Joyce stands as the preeminent literary biography of the 20th century. There is simply no need to search any further. This work is a masterpiece that delves deep into the life and mind of one of the most influential writers of the era. Ellman's meticulous research and engaging writing style bring Joyce to life on the page. We witness his struggles, his triumphs, and the evolution of his unique literary vision. The book not only provides a comprehensive account of Joyce's personal and professional life but also offers valuable insights into his works. It is a must-read for anyone interested in Joyce, modern literature, or the art of biography.