@@noteworthyfiction James Joyce's Ulysses, A Study by Stuart Gilbert. It is the guide approved by Joyce back in the day. Unfortunately I have only a middling intellect, so I joke about drinking and try to read a page occasionally. I enjoyed Homer; this shouldn't be so hard.
I'm soooooo behind on my watch later videos. Thanks for doing the tag, Nicole. I just KNEW you'd have lots of interesting answers. I love reading classics and long books too. 🥰
Thanks Tammy! Trust me you're not the only one. There's another booktuber (Vanessa) hosting watching sprints where she's going to host sprints but instead of reading during the sprints everyone will watch their watch list! I think it's a great idea and I'm sure lots of people will join.
I am not a huge fan of historical fiction either. However I recently read Lauren Wolk’s three books, Wolf Hollow, Echo Mountain and Beyond the Bright Sea. All three were excellent. They are intended for middle grade readers but the writing, the plot and the characters are great. Highly recommend.
My most intimidating is a book of short stories by Julio Cortazar called Blow Up. Everything by Cortazar is just so weird that I'm not sure I'll even understand it, so I keep avoiding it.
@@noteworthyfiction I only read the instructions for reading Hopscotch (yes, there are instructions) and put it back down, figuring it was too complicated for me.
I'm so intimidated by Ulysses as well. I recently read Dubliners by Joyce and it is one of the best book I've ever read (it's 15 short stories) so I love James Joyce, but I hear Ulysses is quite different. Hopefully, one day I'll get to it. Maybe 😊
I don’t recall needing to look at a lot of the footnotes in the Yu, but the intro - which was hard - was fine and helpful. There’s four volumes with 25 chapters each for a total of 100, I’m sure you’ll do it. It reminds me of many a Hollywood movie.
Thanks for the encouragement! I do recall you mentioning not using the footnotes much. I'll probably follow suite and do the intro and footnotes only as needed.
My guess is that it will be a useful book in your research as it's sure to (inadvertently) reveal a lot about the cultures mindset about Jewish people at the time. The book itself, despite its name, is actually more anti-catholic as the antagonists are a group of Jesuits who, apparently, are persecuting a Protestant family. There's a wikipedia page you can read about it. I, however, want to go in knowing less that what is revealed on that page, so wont be reading it until after the book. Based on my current reading of The Mysteries of Paris I can definitely say that Sue will express multiple opinions that I do not agree with.
Great video! I share your intimidation with Ulysses! That’s one of those books that if I’m honest with myself, I want to read because it’s on so many “Greatest books” lists. I may avoid it forever. I recently put down Les Mis and The Tale of Genji but those were simply because I was picking other books up and I plan to get back to both of them.
Those are both solid reads. I loved Les Mis but don't think I'll ever convince myself to reread it. I've read Genji twice and definitely plan to read all the translations. You should join the Tale of Genji readalong going on.
I recently read the warden and Barchester tower, enjoyed them both, but doctor Thorne bored me somewhat, so I have taken a break from the series. The Charter house of parma is on my tbr, Its on audio narrataded by Nicholas Boulton.
I love your vids! You said in this vid you don’t like stream of consciousness, could you give your thoughts on The Sound and the Fury? My all time favorite book and I’m curious about your thoughts!
I've never read it, but I'll add it to my TBR. In fact, I've never read any William Faulkner but have always wanted to try him. Maybe that'll be my first one! Thanks for watching.
Rather foolishly, I looked at my shelves thinking there wouldn't be any books on there that intimidated me. I was sorely mistaken 😅 thanks for tagging me! I'll post a response soon!
I agree that Ulysses sounds intimidating, the novel happens in one day. I have not any plans of reading it, I just have feelings it is not for me. For me Dostoevsky is most intimidating, I have not read any of the russian classics, they scare me.
Start with Tolstoy. You get lots of great storytelling with just a bit of philosophy thrown in. His books are long, but great. War and Peace is my favorite, but I think Anna Karenina is more approachable.
@@noteworthyfiction Thank you, ❤️I said I had not read Russian classics, but I forgot, I have read Eugene Onegin by Alexander Pushkin and first love by Ivan Turgenev ( both on audio ) I plan to read "And Quiet Flows the Don" by Nobel prize winner Mikhail Sholokhov soon, I will take your advice to start with Tolstoy before Dostojevskij.
Fwiw, Ulysses is modernist, not postmodernist; it’s not all stream of consciousness; and yes, it will require most readers to consult secondary sources, but that has a lot to do with our loss of thousands of years’ worth of intellectual furniture (the ancient classics, Shakespeare, Vico-stuff Joyce knew like the back of his hand). It is one of the greatest books I’ve ever read and gets better every time I do read it, but it’s not the kind of book I’d call “user-friendly.” It’s like a deep, witty friend, insufferably erudite, who challenges me and has helped me grow. Books like that are my favorites-they ask much and give much back. But whether or not you want to read Ulysses will probably come down to whether or not you feel willing to learn to speak its language, learn about the Dublin of its single day, etc., etc.-and are either familiar with or willing to get to know the masterpieces it’s built on, from Homer to Hamlet and beyond. It’s work, but satisfying, and eventually great fun. Do you like that idea? Joyce will be your friend. No? Then you won’t like it. Full disclosure: I also love books like Gravity’s Rainbow and In Search of Lost Time-and The Garden of Seven Twilights (not to mention the Decameron). I love and seek out intimidating books-though never ones that are difficult for the sake of being difficult. They have to have something (many somethings) that compensate me for my effort. But different readers like different stuff. One way to find out if Ulysses might be worth your time is to read Dubliners (short story collection) and Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man (introduces us to Stephen Dedalus) first. Those are easier on-ramps into Joyce, and will help you decide whether or not to trust him. Happy reading!
@@Bryndisdaugtherofgunnar No, not exactly. Dubliners is Joyce at his most…punctuated, let’s call it-but the jump from Dubliners to Portrait, where Joyce begins by trying to find a language suited to early childhood memories, doesn’t feel so very big if you loved even the weirdest parts of the earlier book. A Portrait of the Artist introduces one of Ulysses’ two chief male protagonists, Stephen Dedalus. Coming in knowing Stephen a little bit helps, as does having a dose of Joyce experimenting with what the language and form of the novel can do. Ulysses is where Joyce tries to write something that both explodes and brings to a culmination the whole genre (something like what Milton did for the pastoral elegy and the epic). So on the one hand, no-it doesn’t read like Dubliners. But on the other, you can tell it’s the same guy trying out new things. And while people focus on Ulysses being “difficult” or “intimidating,” it’s lots of other things too-funny, sad, erotic, smutty, down-to-earth and poetic. It’s like nothing else except the countless things that imitate it. Give it a shot if you liked Dubliners. And there are great readalong guides, like Ulysses Annotated, to help with the obscure stuff!
Thanks for the feedback. I think I keep sitting on Joyce because I'm still trying to decide if I'd even like that style. Like I mentioned I didn't enjoy most of what we read in our Modern/PostModern class which is the main reason I'm skeptical. I love stories and especially ones I can visualize and that's what I lean toward in reading. I tend to focus on themes and visuals in storytelling more than words and writing style. So, not sure about Joyce. I'll find out one day. I dnf'd The Garden of Seven Twilights. I loved many aspects of the story, but not the main topics (themes) they were discussing. Same issue with the Decameron. So, if I'm not invested in Dublin it might not be something that holds my attention. I guess we'll see.
@@noteworthyfiction That was why I mentioned The Garden of Seven Twilights and The Decameron-I knew they had not been entirely to your liking from other videos! Though to be fair, Ulysses isn’t like either of those. It’s very much its own thing. But there are also plenty of great books to go around. The joy is in finding the ones you love. Life is short. If Ulysses doesn’t grab you, then on to other things!
@@michaelmasiello6752 Good to know. And yes, that's the plan. When I finally get to it I'll get a commentary out from the library and do the work, but if it doesn't speak to me then so be it!
You are one of my favorite booktubers. What is your favorite genre? Historical fiction is my favorite by far.
Aww. Thank you so much. My favorite genre is probably classics. I like all the genres but I tend to give more classics 5 stars.
Even my study guide for Ulysses was impossible. Let's agree that Irish writers are best served drunk.
I was planning on getting a study guide. Which one did you try!
@@noteworthyfiction James Joyce's Ulysses, A Study by Stuart Gilbert. It is the guide approved by Joyce back in the day. Unfortunately I have only a middling intellect, so I joke about drinking and try to read a page occasionally. I enjoyed Homer; this shouldn't be so hard.
I'm soooooo behind on my watch later videos. Thanks for doing the tag, Nicole. I just KNEW you'd have lots of interesting answers. I love reading classics and long books too. 🥰
Thanks Tammy! Trust me you're not the only one. There's another booktuber (Vanessa) hosting watching sprints where she's going to host sprints but instead of reading during the sprints everyone will watch their watch list! I think it's a great idea and I'm sure lots of people will join.
Ulysses is fantastic. Every section is in a different style. Not all of it is SOC. But it’s moving and very funny.
This comment gives me some hope that I might enjoy it! Also, love your user name!
I am not a huge fan of historical fiction either. However I recently read Lauren Wolk’s three books, Wolf Hollow, Echo Mountain and Beyond the Bright Sea. All three were excellent. They are intended for middle grade readers but the writing, the plot and the characters are great. Highly recommend.
sounds good. I'll check them out. Thanks!
My most intimidating is a book of short stories by Julio Cortazar called Blow Up. Everything by Cortazar is just so weird that I'm not sure I'll even understand it, so I keep avoiding it.
Oh boy! I own Hopscotch by him. Maybe I need to move that up an intimidation level!
@@noteworthyfiction I only read the instructions for reading Hopscotch (yes, there are instructions) and put it back down, figuring it was too complicated for me.
Love a good tag… this was a fun time ❤
It was fun! So interesting to think about too.
I do find it interesting that you do have books that intimate you. 😁
lol. I thought of you when making this. You tackled your intimidating book like a champ. Mammoth and classic all in one go!
I'm so intimidated by Ulysses as well. I recently read Dubliners by Joyce and it is one of the best book I've ever read (it's 15 short stories) so I love James Joyce, but I hear Ulysses is quite different. Hopefully, one day I'll get to it. Maybe 😊
Maybe I'll start with Dubliners too!
Great tag!! I think right now Les Mis is my most intimidating. But I'm hopeful I'll like the sewer scenes when i get to them. 😅
I don’t recall needing to look at a lot of the footnotes in the Yu, but the intro - which was hard - was fine and helpful. There’s four volumes with 25 chapters each for a total of 100, I’m sure you’ll do it. It reminds me of many a Hollywood movie.
Thanks for the encouragement! I do recall you mentioning not using the footnotes much. I'll probably follow suite and do the intro and footnotes only as needed.
Am interested in the history of anti-semitism and now I want to try The Wandering Jew. Thanks for holding it up.
My guess is that it will be a useful book in your research as it's sure to (inadvertently) reveal a lot about the cultures mindset about Jewish people at the time. The book itself, despite its name, is actually more anti-catholic as the antagonists are a group of Jesuits who, apparently, are persecuting a Protestant family. There's a wikipedia page you can read about it. I, however, want to go in knowing less that what is revealed on that page, so wont be reading it until after the book. Based on my current reading of The Mysteries of Paris I can definitely say that Sue will express multiple opinions that I do not agree with.
I liked Black Tulip. If you liked Count of Monte Cristo you may like Black Tulip...a few similar themes.
Good to know! I definitely hope that's the case!
I’m with you on Ulysses!
It certainly intimidates a lot of us!
Great video! I share your intimidation with Ulysses! That’s one of those books that if I’m honest with myself, I want to read because it’s on so many “Greatest books” lists. I may avoid it forever. I recently put down Les Mis and The Tale of Genji but those were simply because I was picking other books up and I plan to get back to both of them.
Those are both solid reads. I loved Les Mis but don't think I'll ever convince myself to reread it. I've read Genji twice and definitely plan to read all the translations. You should join the Tale of Genji readalong going on.
@@noteworthyfiction ahhh I didn’t know there was a readalong going on 😲
@@MyMessyBookshelf yes! I think at Beautiful minutea is co-hosting it
I recently read the warden and Barchester tower, enjoyed them both, but doctor Thorne bored me somewhat, so I have taken a break from the series. The Charter house of parma is on my tbr, Its on audio narrataded by Nicholas Boulton.
ooo. I might do the audio book. Thanks for letting me know!
I love your vids! You said in this vid you don’t like stream of consciousness, could you give your thoughts on The Sound and the Fury? My all time favorite book and I’m curious about your thoughts!
I've never read it, but I'll add it to my TBR. In fact, I've never read any William Faulkner but have always wanted to try him. Maybe that'll be my first one! Thanks for watching.
Rather foolishly, I looked at my shelves thinking there wouldn't be any books on there that intimidated me. I was sorely mistaken 😅 thanks for tagging me! I'll post a response soon!
I thought the same. And then I noticed the couple that I keep avoiding!
I agree that Ulysses sounds intimidating, the novel happens in one day. I have not any plans of reading it, I just have feelings it is not for me. For me Dostoevsky is most intimidating, I have not read any of the russian classics, they scare me.
Start with Tolstoy. You get lots of great storytelling with just a bit of philosophy thrown in. His books are long, but great. War and Peace is my favorite, but I think Anna Karenina is more approachable.
@@noteworthyfiction Thank you, ❤️I said I had not read Russian classics, but I forgot, I have read Eugene Onegin by Alexander Pushkin and first love by Ivan Turgenev ( both on audio ) I plan to read "And Quiet Flows the Don" by Nobel prize winner Mikhail Sholokhov soon, I will take your advice to start with Tolstoy before Dostojevskij.
@@Galdra Oh! I have And Quiet Flows the Don too! Hope you enjoy!
Fwiw, Ulysses is modernist, not postmodernist; it’s not all stream of consciousness; and yes, it will require most readers to consult secondary sources, but that has a lot to do with our loss of thousands of years’ worth of intellectual furniture (the ancient classics, Shakespeare, Vico-stuff Joyce knew like the back of his hand). It is one of the greatest books I’ve ever read and gets better every time I do read it, but it’s not the kind of book I’d call “user-friendly.” It’s like a deep, witty friend, insufferably erudite, who challenges me and has helped me grow. Books like that are my favorites-they ask much and give much back. But whether or not you want to read Ulysses will probably come down to whether or not you feel willing to learn to speak its language, learn about the Dublin of its single day, etc., etc.-and are either familiar with or willing to get to know the masterpieces it’s built on, from Homer to Hamlet and beyond. It’s work, but satisfying, and eventually great fun. Do you like that idea? Joyce will be your friend. No? Then you won’t like it. Full disclosure: I also love books like Gravity’s Rainbow and In Search of Lost Time-and The Garden of Seven Twilights (not to mention the Decameron). I love and seek out intimidating books-though never ones that are difficult for the sake of being difficult. They have to have something (many somethings) that compensate me for my effort. But different readers like different stuff.
One way to find out if Ulysses might be worth your time is to read Dubliners (short story collection) and Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man (introduces us to Stephen Dedalus) first. Those are easier on-ramps into Joyce, and will help you decide whether or not to trust him. Happy reading!
Would you say that the writing style of Dubliners is similar to Ulysses? I loved Dubliners so that gives me hope that I will love Ulysses as well.
@@Bryndisdaugtherofgunnar No, not exactly. Dubliners is Joyce at his most…punctuated, let’s call it-but the jump from Dubliners to Portrait, where Joyce begins by trying to find a language suited to early childhood memories, doesn’t feel so very big if you loved even the weirdest parts of the earlier book. A Portrait of the Artist introduces one of Ulysses’ two chief male protagonists, Stephen Dedalus. Coming in knowing Stephen a little bit helps, as does having a dose of Joyce experimenting with what the language and form of the novel can do. Ulysses is where Joyce tries to write something that both explodes and brings to a culmination the whole genre (something like what Milton did for the pastoral elegy and the epic). So on the one hand, no-it doesn’t read like Dubliners. But on the other, you can tell it’s the same guy trying out new things. And while people focus on Ulysses being “difficult” or “intimidating,” it’s lots of other things too-funny, sad, erotic, smutty, down-to-earth and poetic. It’s like nothing else except the countless things that imitate it. Give it a shot if you liked Dubliners. And there are great readalong guides, like Ulysses Annotated, to help with the obscure stuff!
Thanks for the feedback. I think I keep sitting on Joyce because I'm still trying to decide if I'd even like that style. Like I mentioned I didn't enjoy most of what we read in our Modern/PostModern class which is the main reason I'm skeptical. I love stories and especially ones I can visualize and that's what I lean toward in reading. I tend to focus on themes and visuals in storytelling more than words and writing style. So, not sure about Joyce. I'll find out one day. I dnf'd The Garden of Seven Twilights. I loved many aspects of the story, but not the main topics (themes) they were discussing. Same issue with the Decameron. So, if I'm not invested in Dublin it might not be something that holds my attention. I guess we'll see.
@@noteworthyfiction That was why I mentioned The Garden of Seven Twilights and The Decameron-I knew they had not been entirely to your liking from other videos! Though to be fair, Ulysses isn’t like either of those. It’s very much its own thing. But there are also plenty of great books to go around. The joy is in finding the ones you love. Life is short. If Ulysses doesn’t grab you, then on to other things!
@@michaelmasiello6752 Good to know. And yes, that's the plan. When I finally get to it I'll get a commentary out from the library and do the work, but if it doesn't speak to me then so be it!