«A wave of a more tender joy escaped from his heart to run in a warm torrent through his arteries. Like the tender warmth of the stars, they suddenly began to illuminate his memory».

In «Dubliners», James Joyce gifts us with an intimate journey to the most genuine yet cold Ireland. A portrayal of its magic, its people, its streets, and its traditions through fifteen independent stories that hide multiple messages across different layers. Stories that speak of love, of solitude, of sadness, of abandonment, of death, of alcoholism, of family, of independence, of religion and beliefs, of morality and politics.

The stories included are:
· The Sisters.
· An Encounter.
· Araby.
· Eveline.
· After the Race.
· Two Gallants.
· The Boarding House.
· A Little Cloud.
· Counterparts.
· Clay.
· A Painful Case.
· The Dead.

Dublin was James Joyce's native city in Ireland.

He felt a strong urge to break free from the harsh reality of his life in a poverty-stricken Dublin neighborhood. As an adult, he chose to live in Paris and other European cities.

The fifteen short stories in "Dubliners" vividly depict everyday situations. They commence with stories about children, progress to tales about adults, and conclude with the longest story, "The Dead."

The stories frequently feature characters who are ensnared in routine, and who hesitate when presented with opportunities. They are immobilized, incapable of change, even when love has the potential to end their loneliness. There are allusions to religion and political tensions. Food and drink are often mentioned, serving to illustrate economic despair and class differences. The stories may not be filled with happiness, but they are exquisitely written.

The final story, "The Dead," delves into traditions, the past and the present, life and death. It concludes with Gabriel in a moment of deep reflection as he gazes out the window at an unusually widespread snowstorm during the night: "Yes, the newspapers were right: snow was general all over Ireland. It was falling on every part of the dark central plain, on the treeless hills, falling softly on the Bog of Allen, and farther westward, softly falling into the dark mutinous Shannon waves. It was falling, too, upon every part of the lonely churchyard on the hill 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."

This passage beautifully captures the essence of the story and leaves a lasting impression on the reader.

Dubliners is a remarkable collection of fifteen short stories that vividly portrays the life and essence of a city.

It is truly a story of Dublin, and as you engage with these tales, you will find yourself becoming increasingly comfortable with both the city and its citizens.

The characters within these stories are diverse and full of personality, and you are bound to discover many who pique your interest.

This is a wonderful book, rich in emotions and filled with poignant moments that will stay with you long after you have turned the final page.

Among my personal favorites are "Araby," "A Little Cloud," and "The Dead." Each of these stories offers a unique perspective on the human condition and the experiences that shape our lives.

The cover image of "The Dead" adds an extra layer of intrigue, hinting at the depth and complexity that lies within the pages of this remarkable collection.

Whether you are a lover of literature or simply looking for a captivating read, Dubliners is sure to satisfy.

Uma dezena de contos que retratam Dublin e os seus habitantes. Estes contos oferecem uma visão única e detalhada da cidade e da vida dos seus residentes. Cada conto traz consigo uma história diferente, com personagens complexos e situações que refletem a realidade de Dublin naquela época.

Gostei do famoso O morto (embora não tanto como esperava). Este conto é conhecido por sua atmosfera misteriosa e emocional. A história centra-se em uma cena de uma festa de Natal e a revelação de um segredo que muda a vida dos personagens. Embora eu tenha gostado do conto, senti que faltava algo para que ele atingisse o nível máximo de excelência.

E de Um caso doloroso, também me agradou. Neste conto, Joyce apresenta uma história de amor e dor, com personagens que lutam com suas emoções e com as circunstâncias que os cercam. A escrita é delicada e a narrativa fluida, o que torna o conto uma leitura agradável.

Aos restantes fiquei, mais ou menos, indiferente. Alguns contos me pareceram um pouco fracos, tanto na história quanto na escrita. Outros, embora interessantes, não me conseguiram cativar completamente.

Estou em crer que (a menos que regresse a 16 de junho de 1904) tenho Joyce lido. Joyce é um escritor muito importante da literatura irlandesa e mundial. Suas obras são conhecidas por sua complexidade e profundidade, e a leitura de seus contos é uma experiência que me fez refletir sobre a vida, o amor, a morte e outras questões existenciais.

This collection of short stories set in Dublin was penned by an immature, youthful Joyce. He wasn't yet the renowned figure who would go on to write Ulysses and Finnegan's Wake. At this stage, he was young, sowing the seeds that would later make him famous.

I truly adore novels of this kind. The young work of a great master, revealing his growth process as we read through his work. It reminds me that these great minds weren't born as luminous beings, effortlessly pouring out masterpieces. They learned and changed profoundly. It also gives me faith in what people can achieve.

Certainly, this is not Joyce's best-written work. It's not the deepest. It's just the beginning of his adventures and explorations. Some of the stories are short and simple, all dealing with themes of repression, smallness, and coldness. But as a whole, they convey a sense of desolation and heartbreak that is bound to touch and draw you into the work. I'm always attracted to works that have this effect on me. With Joyce, it's even more impressive since his characters are rarely likable or sympathetic. Yet, there you are, feeling their emotions nonetheless. It may not be sympathy. In fact, it probably isn't. The characters generally don't deserve it (except for the story Eveline and several characters in The Dead). It's heavy and not easy to read. I would recommend reading it in chunks to avoid being overwhelmed by the sheer dreariness of the stories.

Moreover, the story at the end, "The Dead," has been widely regarded as one of the best short stories ever written. I wholeheartedly agree with this assessment.

Gabriel, propping himself up on his elbow, gazed for several moments without resentment at her tousled hair and half-open mouth, listening intently to her deep, drawn-out breaths.

So, she had experienced that romance in her life: a man had sacrificed his life for her. It scarcely hurt him anymore to consider how insignificant a role he, her husband, had played in her life. He observed her as she slept, as if they had never shared a life together as husband and wife. His inquisitive eyes lingered for a long time on her face and her hair. And as he contemplated what she must have been like then, in the prime of her youthful beauty, a strange, yet friendly, pity for her welled up in his soul.

He didn't even like to admit to himself that her face was no longer beautiful, but he was aware that it was no longer the face for which Michael Furey had defied death.

Dear James Joyce,

So let's pretend that you might actually receive this letter. I have just delved into your short story collection. Perhaps it wasn't the most ideal choice for my initial foray into your imaginative realm.

I just don't understand you, man. What drives you? What message do you hope that a reader will deeply feel in their very soul? I yearned to love Dublin as passionately as you do. But alas, nothing of the sort occurred.

For there have been great literary giants who preceded you - Hardy, Tolstoy, Dostoyevsky, Steinbeck, Dumas, Hugo, Fitzgerald, to name but a few. All of them, at some point or another, have shaken my small world. But your words failed to capture my heart, my mind, or my soul. What was it that I missed that so many others were able to perceive?

The truth is... I'm just not that into you.

Sincerely,

Erin

P.S. It's a pity it didn't work out. I would have relished referring to you as J.J.

Goodreads review published 14/08/19

A feeling that offers an uncompromising and superb depiction of the low middle-class life in Dublin at the turn of the 20th century. I am truly impressed by the way the short stories in this collection echo one another. It's like a complex web of interconnected lives and experiences, painting a vivid picture of that particular time and place.

Tremendously helpful introduction and notes by Trinity College Professor Terence Brown enhance the reading experience. They provide valuable insights into the stories, the author's intentions, and the historical and cultural context.

My favourite stories include "The Sisters," which has an air of mystery and melancholy. "Araby" is another gem, filled with youthful longing and disappointment. "Eveline" makes you empathize with the protagonist's difficult choices. And "The Dead" is a masterpiece that leaves a lasting impression.

RELATED READINGS offer a great way to explore similar themes and literary styles. From "The Jungle" by Upton Sinclair to "Ulysses" by James Joyce, these books provide a broader perspective on the human condition.

A SOUNDTRACK can also enhance the reading experience. For example, "Coma" by Apocalyptica suits "The Sisters" perfectly, creating an atmosphere of mystery and unease. "Departure" from The Beginner's Guide OST is a great match for "A Little Cloud," capturing the sense of longing and uncertainty.

This is real life, this is the story of us!

This is us, a collection of tales that showcases the pathetic or ordinary challenges that we encounter in our daily lives. It delves into the realm of human mistakes, feelings, fears, and desires. It's all about us, the imperfect beings that we are.

Don't expect this to be a thrilling adventure with a grand climax. Instead, it's a down-to-earth exploration of the mundane and the relatable. These stories will make you realize that you're not alone in facing the challenges and experiencing the emotions that come with being human.

Sometimes, it's the small, everyday struggles that teach us the most about ourselves and about life. And that's what this collection of stories is all about - celebrating the ordinary and finding beauty in the simplicity of our existence.

"Ireland hurt you into poetry," Auden wrote of Yeats. The same could be said of Joyce. Hurt serves as the fuel for his pen. Although the writing is concise and controlled, it still lingers. Just think of fish on a Friday. Even after the dishes are put away, its smell permeates the air.

Two of my favorites in this collection are "Eveline" and "The Boarding House." The first one takes immigration as its subject matter. The second is about an indiscretion that alters two lives. Temptation and desire drive their characters, and so does fear.

Exile from or within Ireland is the devil here. Leave... and Ireland is lost. Break her rules and she'll reject you. Joyce, the self-imposed exile himself, writes eloquently about this tug-of-war.

So when a young girl says her candle went out and asks you for a light, be cautious. It won't have a good ending. You claim you know your Puccini and love La Boheme? I don't doubt it. But this is Dublin, not Paris, and the girl's name is Polly, not Mimi. Keep that in mind before you open this book, just like opening that door into a darkened hall.

When I peruse the NYT travel section and come across the headline "SEE JOYCE'S IRELAND", it immediately reminds me of this remarkable book.

It couldn't be published in Ireland initially until it gained recognition everywhere else. It offers a bitter yet brilliant account of what we now refer to as "news".

It delves into the everyday lives, often those of the young, which are disrupted by the cruelties of adults.

JOYCE'S IRELAND展现了诸多方面。在“Two Gallants”中，有男妓的情节。在“An Encounter”里，两个男孩逃学却遭遇了恋童癖者。在“The Boarding House”中，一位体型庞大的女房东鼓励她的女儿Polly从寄宿者中钓个丈夫。在“Counterparts”中，工作中的欺凌演变成了家中醉酒后的虐待儿童行为。

One can't really fault the Irish publishers for declining to print such a systematic assault on the Emerald Isle, an attack that has now become as familiar as our daily newspapers or TV.

I'm not sure who did more in their fiction to shape modern news, Joyce or Hemingway. Traces of both can still be found even in the highly abridged news on the tube.

Simple declarative sentences, à la Hemingway. Raw, cruel human behavior, à la Joyce. Subjects like sexual abuse and bullying are peppered throughout the news.

Perhaps Joyce invented the News as we know it, and Hemingway invented the seemingly artless, simple prose with which to convey our news.

He is a great writer and has everything, but it means there is no connection between us...
And as usual with the books that I don't understand, I won't continue reading it.

Perhaps the reason is the writer's style that moves between places, characters, and events at a speed that my mind couldn't keep up with.

Perhaps the reason is that I, as a reader, am more used to writing styles that are more passionate than this style that was content with "showing" by描绘 the scene in front of the reader with great vividness, relying on his feelings as a writer. I think that this style is very close to the style of the Canadian writer "Alice Munro" which I couldn't accept at first, and in the end, it led to "accusing" all of her works.

I liked the story "Eveline" from that collection, which "showed" the inner struggle of a girl between embarking on an unknown life that promises her a better future and staying imprisoned in a reality that she has become accustomed to and its order despite the injustice of this situation for her. It is a genius move to描绘 a whole life of the heroine in a very concise narrative, which she examines at sunset in front of the window, flipping between the good of that life she lived and the bad of what she experienced in it. In the end, my heart felt for her great描绘 of her helplessness in the face of the fear that overcame her courage. I liked that he left the final judgment on her decision to the reader, which may be right or wrong.