Should I Read Dubliners Before Ulysses?

The most important precursor to Ulysses is Joyce's previous novel, A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man

A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man
A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man is the first novel of Irish writer James Joyce. A Künstlerroman written in a modernist style, it traces the religious and intellectual awakening of young Stephen Dedalus, Joyce's fictional alter ego, whose surname alludes to Daedalus, Greek mythology's consummate craftsman.
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. ... There are also a number of characters from Dubliners, Joyce's collection of short stories, that crop up, but it's not necessary to have read that one first either.

What do I need to know before reading Ulysses?

Here are a few thoughts on how to read Ulysses, enumerated–because people like lists:
  • Ignore all guides, lists, maps, annotations, summaries, and lectures. ...
  • Choose a suitable copy of the book. ...
  • Make a reading schedule and stick to it. ...
  • So you've decided you need a guide. ...
  • Keep reading.

Is James Joyce Ulysses difficult to read?

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- The world's most notoriously difficult-to-read novel, "Ulysses" by James Joyce, is really an easy read at its heart, according to the Joyce Scholar-In-Residence at the University at Buffalo.

Chloe Bennett

Chloe Bennett

Culture, Media & Entertainment Columnist

Chloe Bennett explores the intersection of pop culture, streaming entertainment, digital trends, and contemporary lifestyle. Her weekly commentary reaches thousands of culture enthusiasts.