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Finnegans Wake

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Finnegans Wake

By: James Joyce
Narrated by: Jim Norton, Marcella Riordan
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About this listen

Finnegans Wake, the greatest avant-garde novel of all time, was first published 70 years ago - and people are still trying to work out what it is about. There is Humphrey Chimpden Earwicker - aka HCE (Here Comes Everyone) - and Anna Livia Plurabelle, but also Finnegan the hod carrier (or was he a giant?), whose wake is the subject of the book. This is a masterly reading of the abridged version, with copious notes aiding comprehension.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your My Library section along with the audio.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your My Library section along with the audio.

Public Domain (P)1998 Naxos AudioBooks Classics Fiction Genre Fiction Historical Fiction Literary Fiction Inspiring Scary

Critic reviews

"Listening to Jim Norton and Marcella Riordan is a lot easier than trying to read the book." ( The Guardian)
All stars
Most relevant
Jim and Marcella do the most sublime reading of Joyce's masterpiece. Brings everything to life.

Joyce's masterpiece

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After listening to and thoroughly enjoying the Naxos editions of Dubliners, Portrait and Ulysses on Audible, I was initially put off buying this audiobook as it is abridged. However, as I haven't been able to find an unabridged recording of Finnegan's Wake anywhere, I decided to give it a go. Having listened to this audiobook I see that it is a good introduction to this notoriously difficult book. It is read beautifully by the same narrators as Ulysses.
Its a shame that there isn't some sort of explanatory guide to Finnegan's Wake available on Audible to go with this, such as Anthony Burgess' "Here Comes Everybody" or a lecture series such as the Great Courses "Joyce's Ulysses" series which I found really helpful in understanding Ulysses in greater depth.

Don't be put off!

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I've been a long time James Joyce fan but always felt too intimidated to attempt 'The Wake'. When I saw the audio version on Audible I decided to listen and decide whether I wanted to attempt the full book. And I do! The well acted reading is illuminating and I was able to enjoy the rhythms and musicality of the words as I believe Joyce intended. I would recommend this audio book to any one who lives poetry or James Joyce. My only criticism of the recording would be the 'sign off' at the end, this makes it difficult to skip back to the beginning straight after listening and preserve the circular nature of the novel. Well worth a listen though!

Elucidating

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Brilliant performance of wonderful work of literature. I could not have read it without listening at the same time to Jim Norton and Marcella Riordan's inspired reading. The book is funny, witty, and aesthetically engaging. The nonsense text takes on meaning as the he reader gets used to the rhythm and style of the prose.

Tour de force

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Makes no sense - although, I’m sure it’s an easier listen than read. It’s a dream state, which is why it is difficult to follow. That said, it’s an absolute delight to listen to. Worth putting on and going with the flow.

No sense

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