"Finnegans Wake" in Fifteen Minutes

by Bill Cole Cliett

James Joyce remarked that the only demand he made of his readers is that they spend the rest of their lives studying his books. The fact is that many scholars and a few literary lay people have done just that for over a half century. This is especially true for Joyce's last and most difficult book, "Finnegans Wake". Critics have consistently called the "Wake" unreadable for its complexities that ripple outward in circles of complexity upon complexity and allusions that allude to more elusive allusions yet. Nearly four generations of scholars have solved many of the "Wake's" mysteries but many still abound. Yet much of this virtually unread masterpiece of literature is comprehensible and contains many rewards, for there is lots of fun at "Finnegans Wake". This Kindle Single lays out the "langscape" of the "Wake", the basics of its what, when, where, who, why and, most importantly, the how of its creative composition, giving readers an understanding of "Finnegans Wake" that will place them in the top 99.99% of the world's readers.

24 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 18, 2011

Reviews

[MS Meagher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ideal for those just about to dip their tumptytumtoes into the Wake. Not an explanation, rather a celebration.

[Diane Bluegreen · Rating 5 out of 5]

a trailer, a teaser,an appetizer for reading 'finnegans wake' by james joyce. delicious.

[Virginia · Rating 5 out of 5]

The "Wake" - A good starting place

As a so-called reader of 'literature', I have attempted many sorties into "Finnegan's Wake"; gaining a paragraph here and there but never an overall sense of the book.
Who, what, where, when and how Joyce put The "Wake" together is clearly explained in "fifteen minutes.
Although I had to read it 3-4 times in order to say "I think I get it-sort of".

[Louis F. Tyler Jr · Rating 4 out of 5]

WTF

I am a dipper and contented to read in the Wake without comprehension. Cliett's guide guides without comprehension. I get it.

[Chad · Rating 4 out of 5]

Much shorter than the actual book

[Donald Bullard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clever and tantalizing

I loaded up with books. Joyce has haunted me since failing to read him in college. I will keep trying and this help on my journey.

[Timothy Allen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short an good

A good, short, introduction to Finnegans Wake. As far as I could tell, this was the only book of its type available for Kindle.