Nice and interesting!

This simple phrase can describe so many things in our lives. It could be a nice book that takes us on an exciting adventure, or an interesting movie that keeps us on the edge of our seats.

Maybe it's a beautiful landscape that we encounter on a hike, or a delicious meal that tantalizes our taste buds.

Nice and interesting experiences can also come from meeting new people, learning new skills, or trying new things.

These moments add color and excitement to our lives, making them more fulfilling and enjoyable.

So, let's keep our eyes and ears open for the nice and interesting things that come our way, and embrace them with enthusiasm and curiosity.

Because in the end, it's these small but wonderful experiences that make life truly worth living.

A very nice biographical portrait of Joyce has been presented in a chatty and familiar style. It gives the readers a sense of getting to know Joyce on a more personal level. The author has managed to capture the essence of Joyce's life and character in a way that is engaging and easy to understand.

We learn about Joyce's early years, his struggles and triumphs, and his impact on the literary world. The use of a chatty tone makes the narrative feel like a conversation with a friend, rather than a dry academic account.

This biographical portrait is not only informative but also entertaining. It makes us want to know more about Joyce and his works. It is a great introduction for those who are new to Joyce's life and literature, and it also offers some new insights for those who are already familiar with his works. Overall, it is a well-written and enjoyable piece.

This book had such a profound impact on me that it made me eager to go back and re-read Ulysses, the revised version.

It also kindled my desire to revisit Dubliners.

Moreover, it reminded me of Portrait of an Artist as a Young Man, a work that I have already read twice.

These literary masterpieces by James Joyce hold a special place in my heart, and the inspiration I derived from this new book has reignited my passion for exploring his works once again.

I am looking forward to delving into the rich tapestry of Joyce's language, his unique narrative style, and the complex characters and themes that he presents.

Re-reading these books will undoubtedly offer me new insights and a deeper appreciation of Joyce's literary genius.

I really struggled to read this slim literary biography which was written by one great Irish novelist about another (perhaps even greater?).

Maybe it was because James Joyce is presented in such a way that he comes across as an extremely unlikeable, and even rather unpleasant, person.

It is often said that a writer's works should probably be approached solely on their own merits, without being complicated by excessive information about the author.

However, this particular book has left me with a sense of fear that I shall probably have the same reaction to "Ulysses" and "Finnegan's Wake" as I did to their creator.

I'm now worried that the negative impression I have of Joyce from reading this biography might cloud my perception of his masterpieces.

It makes me wonder if I'll be able to truly appreciate the genius of his writing when I can't seem to get past the unappealing image of the man himself.

Perhaps I need to try and separate the art from the artist more effectively in order to give his works a fair chance.

A concise but informed biography of the great (or arguably the greatest) writer of the twentieth century. This was my first book by O'Brien. Obviously, I decided to read it because of my deep interest in James Joyce. It was an interesting and pleasant reading experience.

From a stylistic point of view, it is very well-written. It offers readers a brief overview of James Joyce's life and work. I was pleasantly astonished by the rich variety of vocabulary the author employs. This seems to be a rare quality among contemporary writers.

Of course, if you are seeking a detailed biography, you should consider reading Ellman's. However, this book can be beneficial to those who are intimidated by the difficulty of approaching Joyce for the first time. Moreover, for those who are already fans of Joyce's work, like me, it inspires them to continue their never-ending task of deciphering his complex works.

O'Brien's style, distinctively her own, yet echoing her short stories and novels, assumes the diction and rhythm of her subject as the biography progresses through his career from "Stephen Hero" to "Finnegan's Wake". While her book stands alone as a work of art, O'Brien is not overly precise regarding dates nor is she interested in nailing down when and why, for example, the Joyce family moved for the 11th time while Joyce was still living with them in Dublin. It suffices for her to highlight the dreadful stigma of poverty in Ireland, a place where rural people would close their doors so that their neighbors couldn't witness them starving to death during the Famine. This was especially hurtful for a family that had a certain standing in the world but fell from it as John Joyce, the family head, drank away his paycheck (and later his pension) while continuously impregnating his wife every year.

Her interpretations of both "Ulysses" and "Finnegan's Wake" are among the finest short appreciations of these works one can find. Her analysis (and enthusiasm for) his wordplay in both of the later novels is a delight to read. Nora, Joyce's wife, is presented as a character as fascinating as Joyce, a woman who loathed Ireland even more than her husband and had a healthy appreciation of her sexuality. The chapter on their sex life is partly derived from letters Joyce wrote to Nora when he was in Dublin on a harebrained attempt to become a movie magnate and she was stuck in Trieste. These letters are exemplary of verbal lust and are brilliant in themselves.

This is not a typical biography. Similar to that of Anthony Burgess, it is a reflection by a novelist on perhaps the greatest (or at least most influential) novelist of the 20th century.

This biography on James Joyce by Irish writer Edna O'Brien was truly incredible.

It offers an honest portrayal of Joyce's many aspects. It delves into his faults and flaws, showing that he was not without his human failings. At the same time, it also highlights his literary successes, such as his complex and profound works that have left an indelible mark on the literary world.

The biography explores his complex relationship with Ireland, his homeland, which was both a source of inspiration and a cause of conflict for him. It also examines his relationship with his family, which was no doubt filled with its own joys and sorrows.

Perhaps most poignantly, the book shows how much of a broken and sad man Joyce was in his last days. Despite his literary achievements, he still faced many personal and emotional challenges.

My favorite part of the book is the chapter about Joyce's friend Sylvia Beach. She was an amazing lady who started the iconic bookshop Shakespeare & Company in Paris, France. Her support and belief in Joyce were crucial in helping him get Ulysses published, which is his most well-known work.

I really enjoyed reading Dubliners, and I am now making my way slowly through Ulysses, eager to discover more of Joyce's literary genius.

A Joycian account of Joyce.

It is truly a curio, a unique and rather extraordinary piece.

It is more of a homage than a traditional biography.

While reading it, I found myself yearning for more detail about Joyce's life and works.

However, despite this slight longing, the account is a pleasure to read in itself.

The language used is perhaps not as comprehensive as one might expect from a full-fledged biography, but it has a certain charm and allure.

It offers a different perspective on Joyce, one that is perhaps more in line with the spirit of his own writing.

Overall, it is an interesting and engaging read that provides a valuable addition to the body of work on Joyce.

Even though it may not satisfy those seeking a detailed and exhaustive account, it still manages to capture the essence of Joyce and his significance in the world of literature.

I've never read any of Joyce's works before, and I thought this might be a great opportunity to determine whether he was worth my time and effort. OBrien's biography of Joyce is truly remarkable. It provides a detailed and in-depth look into Joyce's life and works.

I believe that this biography has brought me as close to Joyce as I feel necessary. It has given me a better understanding of his writing style, his literary achievements, and the challenges he faced throughout his life.

After reading this biography, I have developed a greater appreciation for Edna OBrien's writing. Her ability to bring Joyce's life to life on the page is truly impressive. I now want to explore more of her works and see what other literary treasures she has to offer.

Overall, I would highly recommend this biography to anyone who is interested in learning more about Joyce or who simply enjoys reading well-written biographies. It is a fascinating and engaging read that will leave you with a deeper understanding and appreciation of one of the greatest literary figures of the 20th century.