James Joyce

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James Joyce

By: Edna O'Brien

Narrated by: Stanley Townsend

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About this listen

Edna O'Brien depicts James Joyce as a man hammered by Church, State and family, yet from such adversities he wrote works 'to bestir the hearts of men and angels'.

The journey begins with Joyce the arrogant youth, his lofty courtship of Nora Barnacle, their hectic sexuality, children, wanderings, debt and profligacy and Joyce's obsession with the city of Dublin, which he would re-render through his words.

Nor does Edna O'Brien spare us the anger and isolation of Joyce's later years, when he felt that the world had turned its back on him, and she asks how could it be otherwise for a man who knew that conflict is the source of all creation.

Art & Literature

Authors

European

Literary History & Criticism

World Literature

Heartfelt

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Critic reviews

"A delight from start to finish...achieves the near impossibility of giving a thoroughly fresh view of Joyce." (Sunday Times)

"As skilful, stylish and pacy as one would expect from so adept a novelist." (Sunday Telegraph)

"Accessible and passionate, it is a book which should bring Joyce in all his glory and agony to a new and very wide audience." (Irish Independent)

Most relevant

If you have even the slightest interest in the life and work of James Joyce, you should listen to this, it's a real insight, beautifully written and narrated. I enjoyed every second of it.

As good as it gets

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A very enjoyable read went along beautifully very good read captures the time so well

brilliant book really enjoyed it Edna is excellent

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Having read James Joyce, understanding fairly well, I liked him. This book added a touch of reality. He was,of course, one of the greatest writers. But Edna O'Brien, also a brilliant writer, and extremely open and honest, showed his serious shortcomings as a person. I loved the balance of quotatation and reference and her own thoughts.

Joyce the genius was very hard work for his family and supporters.

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I loved every aspect of this very personal account of JJ. But you can only imagine the impact of Edna’s own narration had she decided to read this to us!

My wish would be that Edna would narrate

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