Perhaps the most frustrating of all the books in the Penguin Lives series is this one on James Joyce.

Occasionally, there is indeed good factual material on Joyce, which provides some valuable insights into his life and works.

However, the style of writing is almost unreadable. It seems as if the author was attempting to imitate the style that Joyce might have used had he written this book himself.

While such a style might have worked for Joyce, given his unique literary genius and the nature of his works, it simply doesn't work for Edna O'Brien.

The result is a text that is difficult to follow and understand, making it a rather disappointing read for those interested in learning more about Joyce.

It's a shame that the potentially interesting content is overshadowed by the convoluted writing style.

Perhaps a different approach would have been more successful in presenting Joyce's life and contributions in a more accessible and engaging manner.

There is a lack of a starting point that would collect the story of Joyce's life in a more memorable and engaging way, but otherwise it is a pleasant read. :)

It seems that the narrative could benefit from a more distinct beginning that would immediately draw the reader in and set the stage for the events and experiences that shaped Joyce's life. Without such a starting point, the story may feel a bit disjointed or lacking in a clear direction.

However, despite this minor flaw, the overall content is still enjoyable. The descriptions and details provided offer a glimpse into Joyce's world and allow the reader to gain some understanding of his character and the circumstances he faced.

Perhaps with a little more thought and effort put into crafting a stronger opening, the story could be even more captivating and have a greater impact on the reader.

O'Brien's biography of Joyce is crafted in a truly remarkable Joycean style. As she delves into his life during the time he was working on Ulysses, her narrative skillfully mimics the very style of Ulysses itself. Similarly, when she writes about his life while he was engaged with Finnegan's Wake, she emulates the style of that particular book. This technique is not only innovative but also highly effective as it seamlessly weaves the essence of the work with the details of his life.

Moreover, O'Brien's book is well-balanced. Despite being an open and passionate fan of Joyce the author, she does not shy away from revealing the less-than-admirable aspects of his character. She presents a vivid picture of the forces that drove Joyce, without getting bogged down in the minutiae. The result is a powerful and engaging account that allows the emotional chaos of Joyce's life to come through, while also evoking a sense of wonder at the art he produced. It makes one marvel at how such extraordinary art could emerge from within the complex and often tumultuous life that Joyce led.

Emotionally bereft, haunted by poverty, and cynical of religion and politics, James Joyce dedicated his entire life to seizing every experience to its fullest. Edna O'Brien skillfully portrays how these attitudes and resulting behaviors both attracted and repelled professional and consumer readers throughout Joyce's tumultuous life. In his early years, he transitioned from being a devout Catholic to someone who projected his self-loathing onto the priests who once inspired him. A complex love-hate relationship also existed between him and the prominent political leaders of his era. However, O'Brien reminds the reader that he passionately loved the land he ultimately rejected for most of his tortured life, as he wrote, "Poets were the keepers of spirituality and priests the destroyers and usurpers."

Ibsen was Joyce's first love, sharing his hatred of hypocrisy and falsehood. Joyce was an avid reader throughout his life, and it was this knowledge, along with every aspect of his own world, that filled the pages of Ulysses, his most famous work. Support and rejection ebbed and flowed from Joyce's family, including his closest brother Stanislaus. O'Brien describes the relationship with Joyce's mother as, like that of all brilliant writers, "the uncharted deep." For Joyce, it was an association of the Host of Catholicism, prostitutes, and his mother's tenderness, hardly a recipe for a harmonious connection to family, romance, and religion. He would marry Nora Barnacle, and their marriage would be a mix of attraction and repulsion as life became more mundane and the writer could only revel in the extraordinary, unique, and almost frenetic moments that gave meaning to his understanding and writing.

Memory and exile were the elements that fueled the pages of his novels and stories, to which one must add knowledge. O'Brien takes us through each of Joyce's works, the reactions of individuals and Ireland, and the difficulties he faced in publishing, mainly due to what was seen as criticism highlighted with the most obscene language and images. Sexual passion continued to drive his life with Nora, a woman who satisfied him in this one regard but could never truly understand his mind. His family life became even more strained later on with the mental instability of his daughter, Lucia, who was committed yet remarkably resembled her father in many of her ramblings and associations.

While many are familiar with the highlights of James Joyce's life, Edna O'Brien presents her knowledge and analysis with confidence, delving deep into the undercurrents of Joyce's mind and soul while stating the obvious. She interprets and makes connections that the average reader might overlook, again suggesting that so few truly understood what motivated Joyce's scathing and demeaning portrayal of life's grand and sordid aspects. Brief but powerful, O'Brien's biography of James Joyce is a remarkable read about an unfathomable writer - both are truly brilliant!

Having read Irish novelist Edna O'Brien fairly recently, I found myself deeply intrigued by her unique perspective on Joyce. This biography proved to be an absolute treasure trove of information, teaching me numerous fascinating things about him. It was not only informative but also an incredibly engaging read that held my attention from start to finish.

Of course, being far from a Joyce scholar of any sort, I am well aware that I cannot claim to have an entirely informed opinion about what she writes of him. My understanding is limited compared to those with in-depth knowledge and expertise in the field.

Nevertheless, this biography has had a profound impact on me. It has given me the courage and the motivation to consider tackling "Ulysses" once again, perhaps in time for Bloomsday. I look forward to delving into the complex and rich world of Joyce's masterpiece with a newfound sense of determination and curiosity.

A deceptively simple little book, it is truly a gem!

Edna O'Brien's writing is delicate and filled with a gentle beauty. This work is not a comprehensive biography but rather a series of sketches presented in chronological order.

It offers great insights and provides a wealth of context. It serves as an excellent starting point for one's Joycean journey.

Readers will find themselves drawn into the world of Joyce through O'Brien's skillful pen. The simplicity of the book belies its depth and significance. Each sketch adds another layer to the understanding of Joyce and his works. Whether one is a seasoned Joyce enthusiast or new to his writings, this book has something to offer. It is a must-read for anyone interested in exploring the life and works of James Joyce.

All hail the goat of gobbledygook, the bard of the bawdy!

We must extend our gratitude to Edna for presenting this incredibly compact "bio". It is as richly worded as the man's own work. Bravo!

I'll be randomly reading snippets of this from time to time for a while. This bio provides a unique and engaging perspective on the subject.

The use of such vivid and descriptive language makes it a joy to read. It truly captures the essence of the man and his work.

Whether it's the "goat of gobbledygook" or the "bard of the bawdy", these phrases add a touch of humor and playfulness to the description.

I look forward to delving deeper into this bio and uncovering more of its hidden gems.

A short biography by a noted author is presented here. It is beautifully written, and in many ways, it shows the influence of Joyce.

This biography serves as a perfect way to learn about this important (and at times exasperating) author. The writing style is engaging and captivating, drawing the reader in and making them eager to discover more about the author's life and works.

Through this biography, we can gain insights into the author's inspirations, struggles, and achievements. It provides a comprehensive overview of the author's life, from their early years to their later works.

Whether you are a fan of the author or simply interested in learning more about literature, this short biography is a must-read. It offers a unique perspective on an important figure in the literary world and is sure to leave a lasting impression.

Tendríssima, bellíssima, inspiradora is the literary biography written by O'Brian. It is clear that there exists the biography of Elkmann, with its thousand pages. However, this small tribute is not so much in a state of hovering over Joyce, but rather adheres to it like an unexpected and bastard extension or expansion...

O'Brian captures both the writing of Joyce and the motives that drove him to exist and persevere, his particular plan of immanence. It is highly recommendable!

This biography by O'Brian offers a unique perspective on Joyce. It delves deep into his writing style and the inner forces that compelled him. While Elkmann's biography may be extensive, O'Brian's work provides a different kind of exploration. It doesn't just skim the surface but truly engages with Joyce's essence. It is like a hidden gem that reveals new aspects of the great writer. Whether you are a die-hard Joyce fan or simply interested in literature, this biography is well worth reading.

Millions of words and thousands of pages have been dedicated to writing about James Joyce.

O'Brien's Penguin biography serves as a comprehensive compilation of those countless other pages and perceptive observations.

She poses the question that we all pose when confronted with minds we find unfathomable: "Do writers have to be such monsters in order to create?"

She firmly believes that they do. It is a paradoxical situation where, while grappling with language to capture the essence of the human condition, they become increasingly callous and detached from the very human traits that they so vividly and beautifully depict.

There can be no external responsibilities, no distractions or interruptions. Only the continuous inner hum, rhythmic and insistent, striving to create a living moment that is both beautiful and austere.

Joyce exemplified this description in numerous ways, both achieving and falling short in his attempts to explain the world "with all the sorrow and muddle that pertains to life and death."

The fact that he is still widely read and analyzed more than eighty years after his passing is truly all the testament required to explain his significance and greatness, regardless of whether he may have been a monster.

Back to back Edna O'Brien.

Penguin Lives is an engaging series in which writers pen short page biographies, typically of other writers.

Since I have the intention of returning to the Joyce Museum in Dublin and undertaking my Bloomsday walk, this particular biography seemed like a perfect read for me, and indeed it was.

It provides you with a profound sense of the novels, the life spent in exile, his complex love/hate affair with Ireland, and his tumultuous relationship with Nora - all neatly encapsulated within 150 pages.

However, it is not like a typical Cliffs Notes. O'Brien masterfully writes in both his own style and hers to great effect, creating a vivid and detailed portrait of the subject.

The result is a captivating and informative read that offers valuable insights into the life and works of the writer being profiled.

It enriches our understanding and appreciation of the literary figure and their contributions to the world of literature.

Overall, the Penguin Lives series, with its unique approach and talented writers like Edna O'Brien, is a wonderful addition to the literary landscape.

Joyce was an extraordinary individual with a bio that was both beautiful and moving.

She was born into a world full of possibilities and challenges. From a young age, Joyce showed a remarkable spirit and a thirst for knowledge.

Her journey was not without hardships, but she faced them with courage and determination.

She had a kind heart and a gentle soul, always ready to help those in need.

Joyce's love for life was contagious, and she inspired those around her with her positive attitude.

She had many talents, including a gift for writing and a passion for art.

Her works were a reflection of her inner world, filled with emotions and insights.

Joyce's bio is a testament to the power of the human spirit and the beauty that can be found in even the most difficult of circumstances.

It is a story that will continue to touch the hearts of people for generations to come.