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Georgia Scott's Reviews > Dubliners
Dubliners
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"Ireland hurt you into poetry" Auden wrote of Yeats. The same could be said of Joyce. Hurt fuels his pen. Though the writing is spare and controlled, it lingers nonetheless. Think fish on a Friday. It permeates the air even after the dishes are put away.
Two of my favorites in this collection are "Eveline" and "The Boarding House." The first takes as its subject immigration. The second is about an indiscretion that changes two lives. Temptation and desire motivate their characters. So does fear.
Exile from or within Ireland is the devil here. Leave . . . and Ireland is lost. Breach her rules and she'll spurn you. Joyce, the self imposed exile himself, writes well of this tug o' war.
So when a young girl says her candle went out and asks you for a light, be warned. It won't end well. You say you know your Puccini and love La Boheme? I don't doubt it. But this is Dublin not Paris, the girl's name is Polly not Mimi. Keep that in mind before you open this book like that door into a darkened hall.
Two of my favorites in this collection are "Eveline" and "The Boarding House." The first takes as its subject immigration. The second is about an indiscretion that changes two lives. Temptation and desire motivate their characters. So does fear.
Exile from or within Ireland is the devil here. Leave . . . and Ireland is lost. Breach her rules and she'll spurn you. Joyce, the self imposed exile himself, writes well of this tug o' war.
So when a young girl says her candle went out and asks you for a light, be warned. It won't end well. You say you know your Puccini and love La Boheme? I don't doubt it. But this is Dublin not Paris, the girl's name is Polly not Mimi. Keep that in mind before you open this book like that door into a darkened hall.
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Reading Progress
Finished Reading
July 7, 2022
–
Started Reading
July 7, 2022
– Shelved
July 7, 2022
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0.28%
"Just seeing the titles of these short stories is like meeting old friends I miss.
Each one meant something special to me once. I expect our reunions won't disappoint."
page
1
Each one meant something special to me once. I expect our reunions won't disappoint."
July 9, 2022
–
9.38%
"Just seeing the titles of these short stories is like meeting old friends I miss.
Each one meant something special to me once. I expect our reunions won't disappoint."
page
33
Each one meant something special to me once. I expect our reunions won't disappoint."
July 9, 2022
–
9.38%
"The short story "Eveline" clearly inspired the episode in Upstairs, Downstairs when Rose gets an offer of marriage but can't bring herself to leave home and emigrate abroad. Both are shattering to read/watch. Makes you realize what it took and takes."
page
33
July 15, 2022
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6.53%
""The cold air stung us and we played until our bodies glowed."
Ah, the pleasures of street games as a child."
page
23
Ah, the pleasures of street games as a child."
July 16, 2022
–
8.81%
""She remembered her father putting on her mother's bonnet to make the children laugh."
It's not all sadness."
page
31
It's not all sadness."
March 17, 2025
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Finished Reading
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Aug 05, 2022 06:27PM
I think it get’s better with rereading. >)
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Mark wrote: "I think it get’s better with rereading. >)"Either his wastebasket overflowed with what he knowingly chucked out to make those final drafts or he held his pen midair for long periods before putting those perfect words down. Every reading makes me appreciate his art more.
What kind words! Joyce is, in my book, the most rereadable author. >)
"Eveline" is a favorite of mine, to boot.
Big Hard Books & Classics wrote: ""Eveline" is a favorite of mine, to boot."It's real isn't it? I feel as if I know her and it's heartbreaking.
When I read a book like this, I always wish I had a book with it or notes inside the novel that explain all the references, allusions, history, and everything else that probably goes over my head. Like a useful Cliff Notes or "Dubliners for People who Don't Understand It". I learn and understand so much more when there is a guide (whether a teacher or a book).
What may help you Kristy is to read with a pencil in your hand. Tick the parts you wonder about. A check in the margin will do. Then keep reading. Later, their meaning may be clear to you. If not, you can look them up. Good reading!
You nailed it ... _Slan leat_
Big Hard Books & Classics wrote: "You nailed it ... _Slan leat_"Thank you! Slan leat!
Sublime review Georgia! I couldn't but glad you enjoyed :)
Federico wrote: "Sublime review Georgia! I couldn't but glad you enjoyed :)"Thank you so, Federico. If it makes you feel any better, A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man destroyed me. I couldn't make myself finish it.
Bummer! I'm going through my parent's bookcase and that one is the other Joyce book I still have to read :/ . Thanks for the warning, I'll consider major skimming.
Federico wrote: " [Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man] is the other Joyce book I still have to read :/ . Thanks for the warning, I'll consider major skimming."Your experience may be different from mine but I suggest Dubliners first.
