James Joyce, página 3 de 23

Considerati tra i capolavori della letteratura del Novecento, questi quindici racconti - terminati nel 1906 ma pubblicati soltanto nel 1914 perché per la loro audacia e realismo gli editori li rifiutarono - compongono un mosaico unitario che rappresenta le tappe fondamentali della vita umana: l'infanzia, l'adolescenza, la maturita, la vecchiaia, la morte. Fa da cornice a queste vicende la magica capitale d'Irlanda, Dublino, con la sua aria vecchiotta, le birrerie fumose, il vento freddo che spazza le strade, i suoi bizzarri abitanti. Una citta che, agli occhi e al cuore di Joyce, e in po' il precipitato di tutte le citta occidentali del nostro secolo.

This portrayal of Stephen Dedalus' Dublin childhood and youth, his quest for identity through art and his gradual emancipation from the claims of family, religion and Ireland itself, is also an oblique self-portrait of the young James Joyce and a universal testament to the artist's 'eternal imagination'.

Stephen Dedalus studia, lontano dai genitori, presso i gesuiti. Quando, ormai adolescente, passa a un altro collegio, vive le prime esperienze sessuali in un bordello di Dublino. Ma in un ritiro spirituale decide di indirizzarsi a una nuova spiritualita. Presto pero si sente insoddisfatto e quando inizia l'universita avverte nuove esigenze estetiche; capisce cosi di doversi svincolare dalla famiglia e dalle istituzioni religiose e politiche. Stephen Dedalus si dispone, novello Dedalo, a lasciare l'Irlanda, il suo "labirinto".

Ulysses, one of the greatest novels of the twentieth century, has had a profound influence on modern fiction. In a series of episodes covering the course of a single day, 16 June 1904, the novel traces the movements of Leopold Bloom and Stephen Dedalus through the streets of Dublin. Each episode has its own literary style, and the epic journey of Odysseus is only one of many correspondencies that add layers of meaning to the text. Ulysses has been the subject of controversy since copies of the first English edition were burned by the New York Post Office Authorities. Today critical interest centres on the authority of the text, and this edition, complete with an invaluable Introduction, notes, and appendices, republishes for the first time, without interference, the original 1922 text. 'one of the greatest novels of the twentieth century ... this edition, complete with an invaluable Introduction, map of Dublin, notes, and appendices, republishes for the first time, without interference, the original 1922 text.' In Dublin 'After more than seventy years of editorial corrections, specialists will buy the 'uncorrected' edition for its accuracy. Others should choose it as much for Johnson's excellent introduction and notes.' Tim Kendall. Hertford College, Oxford. Notes and Queries `For anyone coming to this 20th century classic for the first time, this paperback version could well make the going a little easier.' Lancashire Evening Post (Preston) `Already got a copy of Ulysses. Well, chuck it out and get this ... this is the one, a reproduction of the original 1922 Shakespeare and Co edition ... has extensive notes at the back to explain references and correct gaffes ... Also astonishingly cheap.' Nicholas Lezard, The Guardian `now the cheapest annotated paperback available and comes with a splendid introduction from Jeri Johnson, a map of contemporary Dublin, and a comprehensive set of explanatory notes ... As such, it should appeal both to those who are familiar with Joyce's book, and those who are approaching it for the first time.' Yorkshire Post (Leeds) `hilarious, poignant, exhilarating ... The excellent guide, editor Jeri Johnson, refuses to allow short cuts for first-time travellers ... The detailed notes are usef

A Dublinesos, James Joyce reuneix quinze relats que recreen episodis de la seva ciutat. Les diverses històries s'encreuen i els personatges van i vénen, desapareixen i reapareixen, de manera que s'ha vist en aquest llibre una novel·la amb un únic