

James Joyce's Ulysses is considered one of the greatest novels of the twentieth century. This new edition - published to celebrate the book's first publication - helps readers to understand the pleasures of this monumental work and to grapple with its challenges. Copiously equipped with maps, photographs, and explanatory footnotes, it provides a vivid and illuminating context for the experiences of Leopold Bloom, Stephen Dedalus, and Molly Bloom, as well as Joyce's many other Dublin characters, on June 16, 1904. Featuring a facsimile of the historic 1922 Shakespeare and Company text, this version also includes Joyce's own errata as well as references to amendments made in later editions. Each of the eighteen chapters of Ulysses is introduced by a leading Joyce scholar. These richly informative pieces discuss the novel's plot and allusions, while also explaining crucial questions that have puzzled and tantalized readers over the last hundred years. Review: Hugely useful resource and a terrific bargain. Buy it. - I read Ulysses for the first time this year and in doing so I bought and read many versions, annotations, critical studies, biographies, and map/photograph collections. This single volume is far more useful and far less expensive. An attractively laid-out facsimile reprint of the 1922 Shakespeare & Co. version (which is typographically superior to most modern printings, which have lines that are too long and fonts that are too small) PLUS intelligent essays for each chapter, with photos and maps; useful but not overbearing annotations; running headers for orientation; cross-referencing to the Gabler edition (which, despite the kerfuffles, is still the academic version of choice), an index of characters, a chronology of Joyce's life, and an excellent list of suggestions for further reading--this book has it all. Only two caveats: First, it is VERY big - roughly 9 x 12.5 x 2.5 - the same dimensions as a volume of the OED, but thicker. I added a picture with three other versions to show the relative size. Second, the printing of the facsimile version is a little light in some places. But, at $35 plus tax, this is an absolutely incredible bargain. I can't recommend it enough. Check out the companion podcast U22 by editor Catherine Flynn. Very useful in its own right. Review: Great resource - This is a fantastic resource for those want a deeper dive into Joyce's celebrated novel. But don't buy the paper version for casual reading. It's as big as a small toddler and weighs about the same. (I'm exaggerating, of course, but keep in mind this is a large, unwieldy paper book, great for research, but best read on a Kindle.)
| Customer Reviews | 4.5 out of 5 stars 317 Reviews |
P**C
Hugely useful resource and a terrific bargain. Buy it.
I read Ulysses for the first time this year and in doing so I bought and read many versions, annotations, critical studies, biographies, and map/photograph collections. This single volume is far more useful and far less expensive. An attractively laid-out facsimile reprint of the 1922 Shakespeare & Co. version (which is typographically superior to most modern printings, which have lines that are too long and fonts that are too small) PLUS intelligent essays for each chapter, with photos and maps; useful but not overbearing annotations; running headers for orientation; cross-referencing to the Gabler edition (which, despite the kerfuffles, is still the academic version of choice), an index of characters, a chronology of Joyce's life, and an excellent list of suggestions for further reading--this book has it all. Only two caveats: First, it is VERY big - roughly 9 x 12.5 x 2.5 - the same dimensions as a volume of the OED, but thicker. I added a picture with three other versions to show the relative size. Second, the printing of the facsimile version is a little light in some places. But, at $35 plus tax, this is an absolutely incredible bargain. I can't recommend it enough. Check out the companion podcast U22 by editor Catherine Flynn. Very useful in its own right.
G**N
Great resource
This is a fantastic resource for those want a deeper dive into Joyce's celebrated novel. But don't buy the paper version for casual reading. It's as big as a small toddler and weighs about the same. (I'm exaggerating, of course, but keep in mind this is a large, unwieldy paper book, great for research, but best read on a Kindle.)
N**K
beautiful edition of joyce's masterwork with perceptive essays
at a time when everything else seems to be getting massively more expensive, this is the first thing i've bought in months that made me say, "what a great deal". beautiful binding, just one hell of a book. the essays introducing each chapter are better than they have any business being, and there's even annotations. thanks, mrs. flynn!
J**R
Book cover was ripped
The product itself is great but the book cover was bent and ripped.
D**N
Marvelous!
I cannot believe this book is offered at such a low price. The notes are very convenient and the commentaries interesting. Yes, it's a heavy volume so I read it while setting it on a table. That does not detract from the reading experience. And Ulysses just happens to be a phenomenal work of art.
A**S
Essential for those who can't get enough of Ulysses
It's a big book--for your desk, not your lap. And it's a beatifully designed labor of love--an exploration of and homage to one of the greatest novels ever written. It's good for dipping into, for looking up favorite passages, and for admiring Joyce's handiwork--and the meticulous scholarship of Catherine Flynn and her collaborators.
J**Y
The book itself is massive - difficult to read
This centenary copy of Joyce's great masterpiece is physically beautiful - wonderfully colorful dust cover, high quality pages, brilliant fonts. Its truly lovely. The scholarship is also world class, offering information filled essays at the start of each episode by top Joycean academics from across the globe. Plus there are well done annotations with useful references to help the reader. However I have two major issues: (1) the book itself is massive, one of the biggest books around outside of dedicated coffee table books. It weighs in at ~10 lbs. I'm a big strong guy, but even I get tired of holding this thing, fighting to keep the page I'm reading open enough to see it all. You can rig up pillows and/or other props, but who wants to do that? You are going to be reading this thing for many hours, and its just not fun to fight the damn size while trying to take in one of the most challenging works in literature. (2) the annotations at the bottom of each page are difficult to reference with the text. There is no mark or number to let you know a phase/word has an annotation at the bottom. Maybe some people can manage this, but I found myself constantly looking down for something, taking me away from the text. In the end, I decided to visually scan the page for annotations before reading it, and place a small pencil mark next to each. This isn't ideal on a bunch of fronts, but it was the best system I could come up with. At the end of the day, this is a coffee table book. I had to abandon it after approximately 100 pages - and go back to my normal sized, paperback copy. As a coffee table book, it will look awesome - and seeing it frequently will remind me of the masterpiece. If this is what you are looking for, buy it. If you are looking to actually read the book without getting a workout each reading session, pass on this version.
T**Y
Ulysses
What a wonderful celebration of the 100th birthday of what may be the premier creation of the last century. I have always been in love with this oeurve literature since I read it fifty years ago and am enjoying it once again with this fine volume, but with an added dimension presented by the editors.
P**1
La tapa del libro estaba rota.
la tapa del libro estaba rota
R**R
No final evaluation, have to work my may through this edition
I read Ulysses for the first time some 40 years ago and probably did not quite understand it. In the meantime I bought the ultimate German translation by Hans Wollschlaeger which helped me to get a little closer to the essence of Joyce's work. Now I am looking forward to get a little help from essays and annotations, I will come back with a review later.
C**N
A new book, like old
The book was advertised as "new", but in fact the dust cover is torn at the edges both in front and in back. We can choose to buy "used, like new" but in this case the book should have been advertised, "new - like used".
A**P
A wonderful and necessary edition for lovers of Joyce and 'Ulysses'
This is an edition of 'Ulysses' that has sorely needed publishing. Short of getting a signed, original copy of 'Ulysses' by the "Artist, like the God of the Creation," this is a spectacular way to enjoy one of the most profound novels ever penned by human hands for its blissful centenary. ReJoyce!
A**R
Big format but very good references for speedy entry into Ulysses
Best edition for speedy AND in-depth reading. This is a monster heavy format (non-travel version) [>A4 size & >2" thick].Cambridge Centenary version: The main book is a 1922 Text facsimile with Essays at start every chapter & Notes handy on each page. This format speeds up reading dramatically because notes on Latin and European languages and literature, science and classical myth references are at the bottom of every page, (this being my 3rd proper read through or study attempt) with this edition I'm now flying through it,( except the most difficult chapters for me chapters 14 and 15. I think these are tough for everybody).The essay intros on each chapter are a good addition to the page by page notes. Going into the deeper themes and broader aspects. Best available version to help understand a very difficult book. But heavy to carry anywhere. Maps for locations relating to each chapter are very good
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