James Joyce’s Ulysses is the book I most admire. Yet I don’t believe I have read it straight through.  I skim or skip the last third — the stream of consciousness. 

I won’t argue with those who list it the greatest novel of all time.

I have listened many times to unabridged audio versions — to relish the rich Irish dialogue.

What is it about?

A normal 24-hour-day, June 16th, 1904 in Dublin, Ireland. All my grandparents came from Ireland so I feel a wee bit o‘ kinship.

It concerns defecating, shaving, eating, shopping, coveting, whoring. There’s a funeral. And, of course, drinking.

It’s wonderful to compare the dark, savvy worldview of Stephen Dedalus with that of cheerful Leo Bloom, a Jew.

I don’t care much about Molly Bloom. 

Ulysses was banned and burned in the USA — at first.  I blame Ron DeSanctimonious.  😀