Portable James Joyce

Rating:
Summary: For a little more money, get a lot more JOYCE!
Review: I was out on a shopping venture intending to buy a copy of Joyce's "A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man" when I stumbled on to this Joyce volume. For only $4 more, this is well worth it. Not only does this include "A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man", but it also includes Joyce's revolutionary short story collection, "Dubliners". Levin also includes samples of other Joyce writings including pieces of "Ulysses" and "Finnegans Wake". The writings of Joyce speak for themselves; therefore, anyone serious about literature already knows they should read Joyce. Since it is not necessary to tell the literary public to read Joyce, I just wanted everyone to know that this volume contains a lot more Joyce for not too much more money.

Rating:
Summary: A good sample of Joyce
Review: In a way all of Joyce's themes are contained in miniature 'Dubliners' and ' Portrait of an Artist'. Both of these are included in this anthology. There are also in the anthology chapters from ' Ulysses' and from ' Finnegan's Wake'. One of the distinguished Joyce scholars of the previous generation Harry Levin writes the introduction. The reader of this volume will get in miniature the collective portrait of the city Dublin, the story of the artistic quest of the Joyce alter ego Stephen Daedelaus ( including the renunciation of church, homeland, and family) the attempt to transform all of life and history into a new language which the reader is required to read ' all the years of the nights of his life'. The vast Joycean ambition and enterprise, the magical lyrical verbal art, the maker - remaker - creator the giant of twentieth century and world literature is the lyrical taddy carrying us along to one of the most brilliant of all literary toy fairs.
Enjoy it.

Rating:
Summary: Laptop Joyce
Review: Laptop Joyce

This is an admirable effort that includes all of "Dubliners," "Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man," the play "Exiles," a collection of poems, including "Chamber Music" and "Pomes Penyeach," five chapters from "Ulysses," and three from Finnegan's Wake. The entire volume is introduced briefly (16 pages); each major work has a short preface as well. Not surprisingly, such brevity omits the many interpretations of Joyce's works, and much background material. But this is a good get-your-feet-wet volume: An introduction to the major themes and styles of Joyce that can be approached by readers of varying experience.

"Dubliners" is easily comprehended at first reading (although the reader may choose to pursue its many layers by reading books that focus on interpretation), and may encourage the extra effort (and resulting pleasures) sometimes required for the other material. The inclusion of a few chapters from "Ulysses" and "Finnegan's Wake" afford a sampling of the author's more "difficult" books. I don't think the reader will come away with an appreciation of the total book (how could one?), but will gain some familiarity with Joyce's more complex works.

Should you buy this compact, thick, version, or the works individually? I think there are two groups to whom the book will appeal: The reader who wants a fairly comprehensive introduction to Joyce, and the Joyce-fan who knows he or she would like a portable collection. Both types will forfeit some ease of reading (the print is small, but surprisingly clear), the complete text of the longer books, and literary "decoding" and criticism for the convenience and savings of one volume. For these readers, this volume is highly recommended.

Rating:
Summary: Laptop Joyce
Review: Laptop Joyce

This is an admirable effort that includes all of "Dubliners," "Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man," the play "Exiles," a collection of poems, including "Chamber Music" and "Pomes Penyeach," five chapters from "Ulysses," and three from Finnegan's Wake. The entire volume is introduced briefly (16 pages); each major work has a short preface as well. Not surprisingly, such brevity omits the many interpretations of Joyce's works, and much background material. But this is a good get-your-feet-wet volume: An introduction to the major themes and styles of Joyce that can be approached by readers of varying experience.

"Dubliners" is easily comprehended at first reading (although the reader may choose to pursue its many layers by reading books that focus on interpretation), and may encourage the extra effort (and resulting pleasures) sometimes required for the other material. The inclusion of a few chapters from "Ulysses" and "Finnegan's Wake" afford a sampling of the author's more "difficult" books. I don't think the reader will come away with an appreciation of the total book (how could one?), but will gain some familiarity with Joyce's more complex works.

Should you buy this compact, thick, version, or the works individually? I think there are two groups to whom the book will appeal: The reader who wants a fairly comprehensive introduction to Joyce, and the Joyce-fan who knows he or she would like a portable collection. Both types will forfeit some ease of reading (the print is small, but surprisingly clear), the complete text of the longer books, and literary "decoding" and criticism for the convenience and savings of one volume. For these readers, this volume is highly recommended.

Rating:
Summary: If you are like me, you carry around books you are reading
Review: w/you and it is such a pain when the book is heavy as hell. This ladies and gentlemen, is the answer to our problems, Viking Portable Library Editions. I myself had never heard of any such things and I am one who cares very much which edition I am buying ( I normally go for the Norton Critical Editions), after I found out about these, I regretted getting Dubliners and Portrait one by one and then finding out about this thing right here, I for one am going to look out for these editions very much from now on, This book consists of; A Portrait Of The Artist As A Young Man, Dubliners, his play Exiles a collection of poems, including "Chamber Music" and "Pomes Penyeach," five chapters from "Ulysses," and three from Finnegan's Wake. It is introduced in sixteen pages; each major work has a short preface. Although it does omit the many interpretations of Joyce's works and quite a lot of background material but, as I originally stated, it is a great edition to carry around.