Romping through Ulysses

by Maite Lopez-Schroeder, Jessica Peel-Yates, Niall Laverty (Illustrator)

Read all about the strange affair of the garter and the bowler hat. This is a 64-page illustrated improper guide to James Joyce’s Ulysses. It's pocket-size with a retro vibe. There are maps to help you create your own romp through Dublin.

Dip into it as an introduction to Joyce's big book. You will find out what's happening in the story, get ideas of what to do and places to visit. Arm yourself with a quote or two and pick up some insider titbits.

Genres: Irish Literature, Nonfiction

64 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2012

About the author

My career has come full circle from making theatre fun for young adults to now making Irish literature fun for the whole world. As a creative multipotentialite, I have gone down many paths including translation, make-up and life & career coaching. I eat books for breakfast washed down with a mug of coffee. Taking inspiration from dance, photography, fashion & interior design, I bubble with ideas that spill over into the writing, illustration and gifts for At it Again! I love connecting people and ideas and see opportunities at every turn.

Reviews

[James Dempsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stretch before the thumb war.

[Lotte · Rating 4 out of 5]

An original, and at times even hilarious, approach to a study guide.

I've read Ulysses in the past, but while visiting the Ulysses museum in Dublin, I realised I've forgotten loads about it. Enter this litten gem, stocked away in the museum's gift shop.

It offers a short bio, a Dublin Walk, a guide on how to dress the character, a "meet the cast" and an hour-to-hour description, with a short summary, ideas to do in Ireland related to the chapter, a quote and a fun fact. All this is complemented by quirky, retro images.

I also picked up one on Gulliver's Travels, so looking forward to reading that.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun little preparation

[Ostap Bender · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this little pocket sized book. For starters, it’s the most concise and humorous plot summary of James Joyce’s epic novel Ulysses I’ve ever seen, with chapters distilled somewhat impossibly down to a short paragraph and cartoon on a single page, captioned with a quote. It is absolute simplicity in style married to the complexity and occasional opacity of Joyce. On the adjoining pages the book then gives suggestions for activities in Dublin that correspond to the fictional activities of good old Bloom, Dedalus, and the rest, as well as another quote and a fun fact. The center of the book has a nice little map that charts Bloom’s romp through Dublin over the course of his day.

Only a serious Joyce nut would do even a fraction of everything suggested or walk his entire route, but as Bloomsday is celebrated in Dublin every June 16 (see the wiki page!), these folks exist, and even if you’re not that hardcore, seeing at least some of the places and getting a better appreciation for Ulysses is enjoyable. Oh. And I love the copyright/publishing name “At it Again!”, an homage to my favorite chapter in the book.

[Rosa · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really lovely, very nicely produced, short guide to Ulysses, which identifies key moments and things to do so you can really identify with the cast of vivid characters. Bought in Dublin, when enjoying learning about Joyce!

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great little guide book for Dublin and Ulysses. Probably works best once you've already read Ulysses (*shines own trophy*).