Joyce-again's wake: An analysis of Finnegans wake

by Bernard Benstock

Genres: Literary Criticism

312 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1975

Reviews

[Josh Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

What I liked best about this study of Finnegans Wake was its refusal to decide what the book is "about." It considers many facets of the book's language, and occasionally (but tentatively) reaches conclusions about the significance of that language, but is mostly focused just on the text itself. There are sections about alliteration, assonance, pun, rhythm, rhyme, character, and motifs, but Benstock is careful to avoid claiming to have mastered any of those aspects of Joyce's language. The end result is suggestive, rather than dispositive, just like Finnegans Wake itself. I also appreciated Benstock's willingness, at times, to pursue his points polemically. Joyceans seem generally to be an affable bunch, but sometimes wrong is wrong, and it needs to be said.

[Willy Schuyesmans · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this before you start on Finnegans Wake ;) Good introduction.