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James Joyce: A Life from Beginning to End
Few figures in Irish history are as well-known as James Joyce. He was born into hardship in a country mired in political conflict, but rather than allow himself to get bogged down, he used his experiences to create some of the finest pieces of modernist literature to date. His work, in his time, was both subversive and controversial. On the one hand, it made publication difficult, which contributed to Joyce spending the majority of his life in poverty. On the other, it generated free publicity and broader public interest, which eventually led him to success.
James Joyce is considered the number one literary voice of Ireland, and for good reason. In this book, we discover his life and his story from beginning to end.
Discover a plethora of topics such as
An Artist is Born
The Irish Exile
Struggle to get Published
The Artist and the Great War
The Odyssey Ends as Ulysses Begins
Late Life and Death
And much more!
James Joyce is considered the number one literary voice of Ireland, and for good reason. In this book, we discover his life and his story from beginning to end.
Discover a plethora of topics such as
An Artist is Born
The Irish Exile
Struggle to get Published
The Artist and the Great War
The Odyssey Ends as Ulysses Begins
Late Life and Death
And much more!
45 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 21, 2022
55 people are currently reading
42 people want to read
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
December 1, 2022
a tumultuous life
It seems impossible to read the biography of any writer, even those whose works reached a large audience which ensured decent royalties, who did not experience severe ups and downs, not only in the living of their lives, but the writing and publication of their works. For Joyce, the banning of his novel Ulysses may have brought him notoriety and put the book in the limelight, the novel eventually making him famous, but it’s exhausting to read about how convoluted the path was to get there.
In addition, he suffered terribly from eye issues, almost going blind, and his daughter from mental illness (she passed, still institutionalized, in 1982). Despite all this and more, like many other authors, Joyce persevered and keep writing despite many publishing and personal setbacks.
I’ve read all his works except Finnegan’s Wake - that is Dubliners, Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man, and Ulysses. I enjoyed his poetic way of writing and his turn of phrase and undoubtedly he has affected my own writing and reading in a positive way.
It seems impossible to read the biography of any writer, even those whose works reached a large audience which ensured decent royalties, who did not experience severe ups and downs, not only in the living of their lives, but the writing and publication of their works. For Joyce, the banning of his novel Ulysses may have brought him notoriety and put the book in the limelight, the novel eventually making him famous, but it’s exhausting to read about how convoluted the path was to get there.
In addition, he suffered terribly from eye issues, almost going blind, and his daughter from mental illness (she passed, still institutionalized, in 1982). Despite all this and more, like many other authors, Joyce persevered and keep writing despite many publishing and personal setbacks.
I’ve read all his works except Finnegan’s Wake - that is Dubliners, Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man, and Ulysses. I enjoyed his poetic way of writing and his turn of phrase and undoubtedly he has affected my own writing and reading in a positive way.
August 9, 2023
What an interesting small book about a very particular person, it seems. He lived through uprising in Ireland and two world wars. He lived in several European countries. He was forced to flee several times. He was an artist who seemed to have had troubles to get understanding, support and a voice, apart from some few individuals in his life. A very interesting biography indeed. I'll try to find something to read by him.
June 23, 2025
Interesting look at the life and work of one of the most influential writers. James Joyce had a complex writing style and some of his work is difficult to follow. I did not know that although he writes about Dublin, he spent much of his adult life living abroad. The book is a good read.
December 5, 2022
A good introduction to James Joice,
April 5, 2023
Good, and better than many
This is one of the better written “A Life from Beginning to End” books. One really gets an impression of the subject in the limited format.
This is one of the better written “A Life from Beginning to End” books. One really gets an impression of the subject in the limited format.
November 20, 2023
Engaging, compact and comprehensive.
Great story.
Great story.
May 11, 2024
Great Information of a Writer
The book reveals the phases of his life’s journey. His ups and downs don’t deter him in writing his books.
The book reveals the phases of his life’s journey. His ups and downs don’t deter him in writing his books.
February 21, 2025
Loved it, great summary for the greatest author of all time
May 20, 2025
james Joyce
Nice overview of this Irish author. It is interesting to see how his life influenced his writing and that he had such an impact with so few published works
Nice overview of this Irish author. It is interesting to see how his life influenced his writing and that he had such an impact with so few published works
October 27, 2025
Good short history
As usual an excellent short introduction to a person or period of history. Keep up the good work. I'm off to mu next one.
As usual an excellent short introduction to a person or period of history. Keep up the good work. I'm off to mu next one.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews