Absolutely wonderful essay. “Ulysses” did teach me reading, too, I could even say — for the first time, because it was reading in English. It was one of the first maybe five books in English that I finished, a challenge of course, but one after which there’s no going back in the best possible sense.
It’s both a blessing and a curse haha because imagine having Joyce as “standard English”. I read it sort of with a guide, tho it was in Russian and mostly “references review + curious details” (but not limited to) — a guy made one 1-1.5h lecture for each chapter, talking about the translations as well.
Also, did you know there’s the Ulysses audiobook, or rather a radio-play, produced for some Irish radio maybe in the 70s or such? It’s on Youtube, was immensely helpful to get through the book. I was first reading then listening or the other way around or both at the same time.
This is a beautiful essay Sam, thank you for sharing it. I’m definitely still early on in the Ulysses journey myself, but I feel that it will be worth it if/when the book “opens up” to me.
Without trivialising the genuine tension you might feel from not “optimising” this platform, I would agree that not being quite attuned to its demands is far from something to be ashamed of. What you’ve brought to the table already outweighs the daily click-farming and wave riding that goes on here.
I love that. Funnily enough, I borrowed that phrase about opening up from Book 2 of Knausgaard’s My Struggle series. He was talking about his (rather relatable) struggles with reading poetry at a certain time.
Now, there’s a ~5 or so page digression on Ulysses in Book 6.
“ …to exist in the world. To understand it or think about it, you have to step back from it. So too with Ulysses”.
I’m pretty excited to see where else book this goes
Thank you Sam. I hope you’re digging yourself clear of that hole.
This arrived in my feed as I sit at my father’s hospital bed. I’m his daughter, and take after him in many ways. But now that I’m old enough to ask him the right questions, to better learn who he is, I find he, on the cusp of 97, no longer has many memories to share with me. So he will remain at that remove, even as his waning independence brings us closer.
My last few years have been lived with greater intention. As I examine the choices I’m making I see ways in which our paths have converged, ways in which I’ve made his influence my own.
I’ve never attempted Ulysses, but I’ll bump it up my list.
That's a beautifully written, very honest piece. But I question the universality you suggest. I think having a father is a different experience for men and for women; and likewise Ulysses, for all it's brilliance, doesn't feel fathering for me, only an excursion into a very different view of life.
Gorgeous essay. There might be, as you say, smarter, better writers on this website, but you're no goddamn slouch!! Anyway anniversaries are just excuses to pitch magazines, Ulysses is eternal.
The timing of your essay is, for me, uncanny. I was about to post a note asking if anyone actually enjoys Ulysses when I saw Robert's restack. I am trying to have an open mind, but so far the prose feels disjointed and undisciplined. It took me a couple rereads to enjoy Silmarillion and Perelandra, so maybe I am a slow study. I didn't enjoy Moby Dick the one time I read it. What do any of these books have to do with Ulysses? I'm not sure. I tell my children they have to try a vegetable 20 times before they decide if they like it, and perhaps some books are teaching my intellect and imagination to expand, to create a new category before I can decide what I think. So far I do not like it, but your essay is thoughtfully written and a beautiful testament to what good writing can do: how it can teach us to think, not only about our own lives, but about everything that has been written before us. Thank you, Sam.
Thank you! I hope it opens to you! Just let it flow. There is immense discipline, if you can feel your way to it. Every line is purposefully crafted, huge resonances. But you don't have to get every one! Just let it flow.
I am normally in the middle of a couple books at one time, and I wonder if that’s actually working against me in this case. I am curious if you took it in by small doses, or if you gulped it down large quantities at a time?
“Let’s go together, you and I. You’ll cast bells and I’ll paint icons!”
Gah I love that film
Absolutely wonderful essay. “Ulysses” did teach me reading, too, I could even say — for the first time, because it was reading in English. It was one of the first maybe five books in English that I finished, a challenge of course, but one after which there’s no going back in the best possible sense.
Goodness! Well you can say that even more solidly than I can. What an accomplishment.
It’s both a blessing and a curse haha because imagine having Joyce as “standard English”. I read it sort of with a guide, tho it was in Russian and mostly “references review + curious details” (but not limited to) — a guy made one 1-1.5h lecture for each chapter, talking about the translations as well.
Also, did you know there’s the Ulysses audiobook, or rather a radio-play, produced for some Irish radio maybe in the 70s or such? It’s on Youtube, was immensely helpful to get through the book. I was first reading then listening or the other way around or both at the same time.
I knew about the radio play yes! I listened to a bit. Your process sounds fascinating.
This is a beautiful essay Sam, thank you for sharing it. I’m definitely still early on in the Ulysses journey myself, but I feel that it will be worth it if/when the book “opens up” to me.
Without trivialising the genuine tension you might feel from not “optimising” this platform, I would agree that not being quite attuned to its demands is far from something to be ashamed of. What you’ve brought to the table already outweighs the daily click-farming and wave riding that goes on here.
Thanks a ton, man. So glad it resonated. And I hope Ulysses opens up to you! Or, rather, that you find the opening you like, and drive the wedge in!
I love that. Funnily enough, I borrowed that phrase about opening up from Book 2 of Knausgaard’s My Struggle series. He was talking about his (rather relatable) struggles with reading poetry at a certain time.
Now, there’s a ~5 or so page digression on Ulysses in Book 6.
“ …to exist in the world. To understand it or think about it, you have to step back from it. So too with Ulysses”.
I’m pretty excited to see where else book this goes
Thank you Sam. I hope you’re digging yourself clear of that hole.
This arrived in my feed as I sit at my father’s hospital bed. I’m his daughter, and take after him in many ways. But now that I’m old enough to ask him the right questions, to better learn who he is, I find he, on the cusp of 97, no longer has many memories to share with me. So he will remain at that remove, even as his waning independence brings us closer.
My last few years have been lived with greater intention. As I examine the choices I’m making I see ways in which our paths have converged, ways in which I’ve made his influence my own.
I’ve never attempted Ulysses, but I’ll bump it up my list.
Thank you for the thoughtful essay.
Sage, thanks for the lovely comment.
That's a beautifully written, very honest piece. But I question the universality you suggest. I think having a father is a different experience for men and for women; and likewise Ulysses, for all it's brilliance, doesn't feel fathering for me, only an excursion into a very different view of life.
Fair enough!
this is so so fantastic, one of the best pieces on ulysses i’ve read hands down
Dang! Thanks, man. Thanks for reading.
What a piece! Thank you for being here!
Thank you for the extremely kind words!
There is a synchronicity to this post appearing on my feed as the 1922 edition sits open at my lap, begging to be read.
Your writing is a feast—and a push to actually re-read the thing.
That's the highest compliment you could possibly pay me! I sincerely hope you start it and love it!
Brilliant.
Thank you oh great Elder
you’ve almost inspired me to try reading it again. i too flamed out after Telemachus.
Gorgeous essay. There might be, as you say, smarter, better writers on this website, but you're no goddamn slouch!! Anyway anniversaries are just excuses to pitch magazines, Ulysses is eternal.
Thanks, man. I suppose I do still pitch magazines but writers/readers like yourself make this spot quite a bit better.
🫡 back at ya
The timing of your essay is, for me, uncanny. I was about to post a note asking if anyone actually enjoys Ulysses when I saw Robert's restack. I am trying to have an open mind, but so far the prose feels disjointed and undisciplined. It took me a couple rereads to enjoy Silmarillion and Perelandra, so maybe I am a slow study. I didn't enjoy Moby Dick the one time I read it. What do any of these books have to do with Ulysses? I'm not sure. I tell my children they have to try a vegetable 20 times before they decide if they like it, and perhaps some books are teaching my intellect and imagination to expand, to create a new category before I can decide what I think. So far I do not like it, but your essay is thoughtfully written and a beautiful testament to what good writing can do: how it can teach us to think, not only about our own lives, but about everything that has been written before us. Thank you, Sam.
Thank you! I hope it opens to you! Just let it flow. There is immense discipline, if you can feel your way to it. Every line is purposefully crafted, huge resonances. But you don't have to get every one! Just let it flow.
I am normally in the middle of a couple books at one time, and I wonder if that’s actually working against me in this case. I am curious if you took it in by small doses, or if you gulped it down large quantities at a time?
It was kind of the only thing I did for like a month.
Thank you! I am going to switch gears from my normal juggling act and try that approach.
Stunning
Thank you Denise!