A small collection of stories about ordinary people, with all their shortcomings and limitations, "celebrated" by many classics. This theme will never fade away, just as the ordinary person will never disappear from the face of the earth, and will play out all the facets of vulgarity, stupidity, absurdity, and darkness. The stories are almost devoid of a plot; they are rather sketches, impressions without a beginning or an end. Therefore, in terms of reading comfort, they require no less concentration and focus than "streams of consciousness". The main hero is the city, a city in a state of spiritual stagnation. The ambiguity, hints, undertones, and unclear outlines allow for a wide range of interpretations.

The collection has an "age" structure - childhood, youth, maturity, and in addition, social life.

In the story "The Sisters", a key state that troubles Joyce is given - the paralysis of society, the center of which he called Dublin. Only if in this story the paralysis broke Mr. Flynn's father, then Joyce observed the paralysis of society, a non-physical paralysis - the city was still filled with the movement of transport and urban hustle and bustle, but the paralysis was spiritual, the rigidity of views. The cause of the sister's death is said to be that the priest broke a chalice, obviously a church one, which symbolizes the collapse of faith. This paralysis is gradually revealed in the novellas through "childhood, youth, maturity, and social life".

Since the narration is carried out vaguely, as if from a fog, the understanding of the meaning is possible mostly through the interpretation of details and symbols. The heroes of many stories in the collection are ordinary people, oppressed by invisible shackles, they secretly and vainly seek liberation - and the tragic inability to free themselves from these shackles constitutes the framework of this paralyzed state. They have no future, no goal and meaning of life. There is a lot of irony, social criticism, and political grotesque in the stories.

The novella "The Dead" already by its title leads to the conclusion - death as a result of paralysis. "...snow was falling gently all over the world, falling on the living and the dead."

Was James Joyce the greatest English language writer in modern times?

I don't know for sure, perhaps he was. But "Dubliners" certainly helps to build a strong case for him.

This collection of short stories is brilliant in its subtle and realistic approach.

It consists of fifteen stories that vividly paint a portrait of Dublin at the turn of the last century. "The Dead" is the final story and it is the most poignant and powerful among them. However, several other stories also stand out as exceptional, and they are all of high quality.

"Counterparts" offers a disturbing close-up look at the old drunken Irish family stereotype, which fails to be humorous. "A Mother" epitomizes the stereotype of a blusterous and stubborn as a mule Irish mother. And what about those Irish stereotypes? Might they have been given voice by Joyce through "Dubliners"?

"Dubliners" is a highly influential work from a respected and inspiring author. It is truly great reading that provides valuable insights into the lives and characters of Dubliners during that era.

As a powerful commitment to the form to be found in English, this collection of stories is truly remarkable.

The original fourteen stories should be read as a set piece, as they vividly portray the evolution of thought from childhood to adulthood. It takes the readers on a journey, showing the transition from dogmatic belief to reasoned denial.

Each story within this collection offers unique insights and perspectives, allowing the readers to explore the complex human psyche. The characters come alive on the pages, their experiences and emotions palpable.

However, The Dead should be viewed separately. It stands out as a masterpiece in its own right, with its own distinct themes and narrative style.

Overall, this collection of stories is a must-read for anyone interested in English literature. It earns a well-deserved five-stars for its engaging stories, profound insights, and beautiful prose.

It will leave a lasting impression on the readers and make them appreciate the power and beauty of the written word.

Review Update – 5/15/17

In 1905, when Joyce was 22, he submitted the first twelve stories of Dubliners to a publisher. They were accepted, but due to the publisher's squeamishness, publication was constantly delayed. Over the next three years, Joyce added three more stories and took the collection to a second publisher. Again, it was accepted but held back. Finally, in 1914, the original publisher overcame his fears and released the volume. However, by then, Joyce's Portrait of the Artist was being serialized, and this novel, along with his two modern masterpieces, Ulysses and Finnegan’s Wake, overshadowed the short stories. It was only gradually, over many years, that Dubliners received recognition for its modernism and brute realism. In the previous update, I used the word dreary to describe the stories, but this time, let's try “resignation” – stories of resignation. Joyce writes about the people of Dublin who are resigned to their lives, controlled by the Church and the British to some extent, indulging in simple pleasures like drink and having children, and pretending that life isn't so bad. There are also classes in this society, allowing those in any class except the bottom to compare themselves pridefully to those below. I scanned through the last, longest story, “The Dead,” looking for a good quotation, but there were few and they were too long. This story is a fitting capstone to the collection, about a traditional New Year's Eve celebration among Dublin's better-off citizens. In the last few pages, a tale of death emerges, causing the protagonist, Gabriel, to have profound thoughts as he falls asleep. I realized that the story's title refers not just to these pages but to all the people celebrating that evening, suggesting that even these seemingly happy people, in failing to recognize their resignation, are in their own way part of “The Dead.”

Review Update - 3/17/15

obviously in celebration of a certain day

A couple of years later, here are just a few thoughts on these stories. When I said below that the stories aren't “exciting,” I didn't mean they weren't affecting. Some of them are. Maybe one could use the word “depressing.” But more importantly, I think the atmosphere of the stories is similar to the weather I associate with the Emerald Isle – damp, cloudy, with hints of rain, chilly for most of the year, and maybe summerlike for a couple of weeks in July. Gloomy. The kind of weather that makes you seek out a pub and the warm comfort of a pint with friends. Then there's that Catholic haze that looms over everything, the haze, the weather, and maybe even the people, to the extent that Joyce himself had to flee. Whenever you feel like subjecting yourself to this sort of dreariness, which should be often, read one of the stories, and it will suit your yearning.

Original Review

These aren't the most exciting short stories ever written. But since they were written by Joyce, they are on a level of Literature that most writers can only dream of. This also means they are worthy of study, and the time spent studying them will be well spent. Terence Brown's Introduction shows his long study of these stories, and his Notes make it clear that there isn't a word, a slang term, a Dublin location, or a historical reference in the stories that he doesn't know almost everything about. (The footnoting can be a bit distracting at times, as you think, “of course, everyone knows that,” but of course, those things that “everyone knows” vary from reader to reader.) All in all, this is a very good edition of Dubliners. I was once an English lit. major in college (only for a year), and still have infrequent yearnings in that direction. One of those I've had in recent years is to take the time to write a long essay on these stories. I do think they are worth that kind of effort.

Sure.

Nowadays, everyone engages in it. However, this particular thing was novel in its time. And it's undoubtedly Joyce's work, so it's definitely superior to 99% of similar things. This kind of fictional style is familiar to us. Because our best fiction writers have learned from Joyce and works like this. It doesn't matter when you read it; before or after "Ulysses", "Finnegans Wake", or "A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man". Because Joyce's work forms one large conceptual continuity, which becomes clear whenever one reads the endnotes and/or annotations to his works (contrary to that one Review; reading annotations does not disrupt the flow or pleasure of the prose but rather allows for the kind of lingering that this charm demands). His other books always make appearances in this one.

And a reminder to us and to myself that "Joycean" is not always a reference to "Ulysses" nor even to the Joyce of "Finnegans Wake" (for which we have the fortunate term "Wakean") but can also refer to the Joyce of "Dubliners" or the Joyce of "A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man". There is something larger to the Joycean project that extends far beyond the aspects of word play and "stream-of-consciousness"; something whole, something redeeming, something reconciliatory. Something visionary and about how the world both is and can be such that the two are not distinguishable. Something that is summed up in Molly's "Yes" and in Livia's flowing to the sea and returning to her headwaters.

And in this political season, perhaps "Dubliners" is even more appropriate for us Americans. "Dubliners" was written in anger at what his fellow Irish had allowed themselves to become, an anger rooted in both what they are and what they ought to be. Even if not programmatically spelled out, isn't this where we Americans find ourselves? Angry at what we've made of ourselves and allowed ourselves to be made into. And yet still retaining that vision of ourselves; even the most unpatriotic among us still believing that there is something unique about being a citizen of this country, something in the "God bless" direction; but so extremely angry at the jingoistic direction it always takes. I just think one could imaginatively project a cycle of "Dubliners" stories for this sick and decrepit country that is ours. And it would be Joycean.

Earlier Remark__________

"Dubliners" is not a collection of short stories; "Dubliners" is a novel.

Discuss.

{suggested reading; "A Paralysed City" in Re Joyce}.

“I knew that two candles must be set at the head of a corpse.” (Sisters I)
This statement implies a certain traditional or perhaps superstitious belief. It might suggest that there is a specific ritual or custom associated with laying out a corpse. The presence of the two candles could hold symbolic meaning, perhaps representing something like the passage from life to death or serving as a form of illumination in the afterlife.

“No candles! I bar the magic-lantern business.” (Grace XIV)
In contrast, this response shows a firm rejection. It could be that the person named Grace has a different perspective or perhaps doesn't believe in the significance of the candles. The mention of "barring the magic-lantern business" is rather cryptic and might hint at some other related or underlying issue. It makes one wonder what exactly the "magic-lantern business" is and why Grace is so opposed to it. Maybe it has something to do with her own beliefs or experiences that have led her to take such a stance.

What I Would Do Differently:

1) Read the stories starting from the back and work my way forward.

Before commencing the reading of Dubliners (which I initially mispronounced as Dub – line – ers. Oops!), I looked up this title in James Mustich’s 1,000 Books. It was stated that the best story was located at the very end of the book. However, the last story is also the longest in the collection. By the time I reached it, I was already bored, disenchanted, and had relatively no focus. In my view, the stories don't build on one another or have repeat characters, and I truly wish I had approached the best story in a more refreshed state.

2) Created a list of characters for each story.

These short stories almost gave the impression that they were extracted from a longer book. There are numerous characters in the stories, and Joyce didn't make them memorable enough for easy recall.

3) Planned to read only one story at a time.

Initially, I picked up this book because it had a relatively low page count and was recommended by James Mustich (whose taste I greatly respect). When I read the first story, I felt extremely lost. Then, I read it again, assuming I was just tired the first time. However, that wasn't the case. I still had no clue what was happening even after the second reading. I resorted to opening SparkNotes, and apparently, there was religious symbolism about being paralyzed that I simply didn't grasp even after two readings. I ended up spending more time in the research materials than in the source materials.

Confession Time:

This collection of short stories was really challenging. Between the (at times) very long sentence structure of Joyce, some of the archaic language, the many unneeded characters introduced in a short period of time, the extremely subtle symbolism, and the uniquely Irish words (like stirabout), I didn't really understand what was going on, and I didn't enjoy the experience of reading this. Here's hoping that Ulysses will be a better experience.

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‘Dublineses’ is composed of fifteen short stories where every single detail and word is there and in the order established for some reason. With this work, Joyce wanted to portray the Irish way of life through some of the themes that most obsessed him: nationalism, the weight of religion, alcoholism, or death, among many others. Although they are independent stories, the book is designed to be read from beginning to end as the first three tell us about childhood, the next four about adolescence, and the remaining ones about maturity and adult life. Moreover, some of the characters are referenced in several of the stories. In this way, the work acquires greater complexity and excellent consistency.

We are not dealing with an easy text to read; Joyce's narration is simple, beautiful, and easy to follow, but there is a lot of implicit information in the presented words. The author makes our minds work, and in many cases, he plays with the reader so that he imagines what is not explicitly told to us. They are stories full of symbolism, metaphors, and cultural references that may require a documentation task to fully understand them.

Reading ‘Dublineses’ is traveling to a gray, cold, crude, and realistic Ireland. A dose of good literature that ends with the most perfect story of the collection: ‘The Dead’. A masterful text, more accessible than the previous ones, and that exudes talent and sensitivity throughout its length.

This is my first encounter with Joyce's “Dubliners.”

It's quite astonishing, really. While everyone else seems to have read it during their high school or undergraduate literature courses and was compelled to write papers on Joyce's themes and symbolism, I picked it up纯粹 for pleasure and to gain some background for a project I'm working on.

It's regarded as one of Joyce's more approachable works, especially when compared to “Ulysses,” which has a reputation of being a book that everyone claims to have read but few actually have.

Surprisingly, I found it quite readable, despite its age of over a hundred years and being filled with references to cultural and colloquial phrases that are beyond my comprehension.

Anyway, I'll attempt a brief analysis of this collection of fifteen short stories.

The first aspect that strikes me is the pedestrian and mundane nature of the characters and even the plots. This is the dreary, everyday life of Dublin's common folk.

Moreover, it's largely populated by rather unpleasant people – thieves, drunks, and abusers, to name just a few.

Most of the tales either end tragically, like suicide, or at best, in an unresolved melancholy stalemate.

As I was reading, I wasn't certain if Joyce was aiming for a realistic portrayal of Dublin,类似 a 107-year-old version of a modern reality show, or something else entirely.

However, when you step back and view the entire book, it reveals a stunted Dublin filled with people going nowhere and unable to break free from their gloomy routines and lives.

Knowing a little about the history of Ireland, it makes me wonder if this was a subtle critique of the impact of English colonialism and perhaps, to a lesser extent, the constraints of the Catholic Church.

The only positive aspect you can take away from 1914 Dublin is the pride in Irish hospitality.

Still, despite the dismal subject matter, Joyce writes with great beauty. His ability to quickly create complex characters with realistic needs and desires is truly extraordinary.

He describes everyday life, but with such a精妙的 blend of setting, dialogue, and narration that it feels all too real.

The characters display small idiosyncrasies, quirks, and thoughts that seem authentic, as if Joyce is reporting on what's happening around him while also being able to enter everyone's mind.

The last story is particularly beautifully told, about an annual dance that weaves together characters, motivations, songs, food, and drink until you're left dizzy.

The prose is lush and vivid, yet still with the same underlying sadness and cold themes.

Although I probably don't have the proper context of 1914 Ireland and Joyce's intentions, I was still able to appreciate this impressive classic.

Precise gems. They are extremely lyrical and poetic, captivating the hearts and minds of readers.

For those who struggle to get through complex works like Ulysses or Finnegans Wake, they will discover that works such as Dubliners and Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man are infinitely more accessible.

I am certain that I will always remember the last lines of The Dead.

❄️ ❄️ Yes, the newspapers were right: snow was general all over Ireland. It was falling softly upon the Bog of Allen and, further westwards, softly falling into the dark mutinous Shannon waves. It was falling too upon every part of the lonely churchyard where Michael Furey lay buried. It lay thickly drifted on the crooked crosses and headstones, on the spears of the little gate, on the barren thorns. His soul swooned slowly as he heard the snow falling faintly through the universe and faintly falling, like the descent of their last end, upon all the living and the dead.

Recommended. Moreover, The Dead has its movie version, which allows viewers to experience the beauty and essence of the story in a different medium.

This is a remarkable book of ghosts, a book that delves deep into the profound themes of life and death. It explores how lives are irrevocably influenced by the forces of life and death, and how the departed continue to have an impact on the existence of the living.

Joyce has a unique talent for making the reader feel as if they are truly a part of the lives of these Dubliners. One cannot help but get swept up in their joys, sorrows, and everyday struggles. While some stories may stand out more than others, each one contributes something valuable to the rich tapestry of life in Dublin.

It is evident that this work served as the first stepping stone towards Joyce's masterpiece, Ulysses, through its meticulous examination of the daily happenings of ordinary people. The links that some of the stories carry from one to the next, such as from "Grace" to "The Dead", add an extra layer of depth and continuity.

The male characters, in particular, seem to have a distinct aversion to candles.

As Joyce so eloquently writes, "One by one they were all becoming shades. Better pass boldly into that other world, in the full glory of some passion, than fade and wither dismally with age." This powerful statement encapsulates the essence of the book and leaves a lasting impression on the reader.

I was initially deterred from reading James Joyce due to my fear of not understanding a word he wrote, despite knowing he was a brilliant and timeless writer. It was likely "Ulysses" that scared me away, and I made a hasty generalization that if I couldn't understand that book, I wouldn't understand anything by Joyce. That was my mistake.

I recall a Goodreads friend recommending "Dubliners" to me. I think either I or they had read a short story collection (the author escapes me at the moment), and they said there was a similarity between "Dubliners" and the collection we were discussing. So, I obtained a copy and was truly amazed. My copy was an Oxford World's Classics edition. Each story had numerous footnotes at the back of the book. After reading a short story, I would turn to the back and read many of the footnotes. I learned a great deal from them and found them extremely interesting.

There were 15 stories in total. As I read, I took notes and rated each one. I'll simply list the ratings next to the stories. The average rating is 3.8 stars, but when you add in the Introduction, an alternative translation of "Sisters", and the footnotes, it amounts to 5 stars by my calculation.