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Summary: Review of "a portrait of an artist as a young man"
Review: There is nothing special about this book. The language might be beautiful but it is not extraordinary. The plot is linear and lacks complexity. While I was reading the book it seemed like the writer was writting for himself and not for the readers. If a reader likes to feel as if he is ignored and disrepected, then maybe he would appreciate the book. As for everyone else, I would recommend "Black Boy" from Richard Wright, which is a book far better than "A portrait ...", for its rich and intriguing plot and ideas portraited with a sense of care for the reader. James Joyce fails to convey his ideas with "tenderness", his artistic sense builds arrogance, rather than "a portrait". " Most defintely, this book is not one of the best 20th century's books. Willam Faulkner does a far better job in character and plot development.
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Summary: Joyce reviews his own book in the last chapter
Review: I will say that this is a brilliant book but it is probably for intellectuals only. Joyce says in the last chapter, and I'm paraphrasing, that the best art is art that inspires no emotional response, just perfect serenity and intellectual appreciation. That was my response to the book: extremely well-written but I lack any strong emotional response or connection to it.
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Summary: my favorite book
Review: The book is a blueprint for constructing a spiritual life. Read the "baby talk" of the first 2 pages several times and keep it in your mind throughout because everything to come links back to it in some way. It starts off free and simple and gets muddled: he hears a story about a moocow, sings his little song in his own way, becomes preoccupied with the sensual, falls in love with a little Protestant girl and is hauntingly scolded for it. His job is to get beyond the muddle (sexual desire versus the moral dictates of the Catholic church; personal revolt verses communal revolt in the form of the Irish cause) and back to the simple joy of the song. The book is divided in 2 halves: the physical life - THE HELLFIRE SERMON - the spiritual life. But it is also a circle: the song, the road away from and back to the song, and in the end, the singer, determined again to sing in his own way. The sermon, along with Samuel Beckett's Watt, is the funniest thing I've ever read and the scene with the dark-haired girl on the beach is the most beautiful.
Rating:
Summary: great read
Review: This book is brilliant, I read it aged 12 and thought this man understands teenagers. I love this book and read it when I am fed up.
Rating:
Summary: Nothing Like It
Review: the first page! a miracle. and it never lets up
Rating:
Summary: A good read, but less than I expected.
Review: Better than the story itself, was the wonderful language in which Joyce used in writing it. I think that the story is worthy of being accepted as a classic merely for Joyce's superb usage of words. Now, as for the story in its self, it wasn't that great. I mean, it was good, but I've read better. The story - a semiautobiographical account of the life of James Joyce - is very emotional and at times makes you feel as if you're the main character, Stephen Dedalus. Go ahead it and read it, just don't expect it to be a roller-coaster ride.
Rating:
Summary: A Gem!
Review: While those who read simply to seek a defined storyline and ignore language usage may find this novel plodding and pointless, those who appreciate literature for its aesthetic value will no doubt treasure this novel as one of the greatest ever. Admittedly, the plot is certainly not well-defined when compared to that of other novels; Joyce didn't emphasize plot, he simply let the story flow naturally through the stream of consciousness technique which is displayed in "Portrait" in its infant stages. In this story, physical circumstances and crises play a supporting role to the mental ponderings and perceptions that accompany them, which throws many unexpecting readers for a loop. Frankly, this book is not for everyone (ever get the feeling Joyce wanted more people to hate his works than revere them?), however the use of language is superb: the "bird girl" scene contains the most beautiful prose that I have ever read. If you are at all interested in literature, this book will no doubt satisfy you, a must read!
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Summary: Meeting Stephen Dedalus
Review: Readers who are familiar with the grown-up Stephen Dedalus from Joyce's acclaimed Ulysses will not fail to recognize the same aestheticized young man (of course much younger, duh)who struggles to find himself in balance with the complexity of life. Written in Faulknerian style which is feared and revered by readers, Joyce traces the childhood and youth of Stephen from the day he was born. Told in the baby babble at the beginning, to boyish fancy, youthful paradox, until the last chapter streaming fluidity of a nascent artist, Joyce captures every stage of his own development and conquest through the main bends of the road of life. From sexual awakening in his early teen years to later religious relization, Stephen Dedalus is portrayed by Joyce's wondrous motion of words that never seems to cease galloping forwards. Yes, like the Sound and the Fury, this book is provocative to certain degree as to challenge the readers seeking for more-->help build a concrete foundation for the brilliant depiction of one of the most controversial characters of modern literature. The smooth painting of mental as well as spiritual growth certainly characterizes this work, and the seemingly impossible "rambling" between the pages is definitely worth a try.
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Summary: Portrait of an Aspiring Young Boy who Turns Into an Artist
Review: Well, to begin with, I chose this book because I had seen a lot of reviews which said that the book was good. When I started this book for an independent school project, I didn't understand it at all. I had to read the first chapter twice to sort of know what it was that Joyce was talking about. I have to admit, the book does have some good points, but mostly, it is very hard to understand. I liked the fact that Stephen (the character), who was very religious, repented of his first sin, but you have to admit, who would spend all his time in church trying to be absolved of their sins? All in all, this is a fairly good book, but I have read better ones.
Rating:
Summary: difficult but rewarding
Review: I found this novel interesting, and not as difficult to read as I anticipated, although it is certainly not an easy read. I enjoyed the stream of consciousness, and found the beginning of the novel when Steven is young particularly interesting. I enjoyed this novel very much, even though I dislike Faulkner, who supposedly writes in a similar style. A rewarding book, even if you do not completely understand it.
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