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James Joyce Audiobook
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(3.08) - 169 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
One of Ireland's best current novelists provides a thumbnail sketch of Ireland's greatest writer. A passionate and sensuous portrait, James Joyce is a return to the land of politics, history, saints, and scholars that shaped the creator of the twentieth century's groundbreaking novel Ulysses. O'Brien traces Joyce's early days as a rambunctious young Jesuit student; his falling in love with a tall, red-haired Galway girl named Nora Barnacle on Bloomsday; and his exile to Trieste where he found success, love, and ultimately, despair. Joyce's raucous life as well as his thoughtful commentary on his major writings are presented succinctly and masterfully for any Joyce lover to enjoy. O'Brien captures with simplicity the brilliance and complexity of this great master. "It is swift, moving and brimming with the author's enthusiasms and her well-earned affection for a difficult colleague." —Los Angeles Times Book Review
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"I've never read any Joyce, and thought this might be a good way to decide if he were worth my time. OBrien's biography is quite wonderful, and I think probably as close to Joyce as I feel the need to get. It did make me want to read more Edna OBrien, though."
— Kit (4 out of 5 stars)
James Joyce Listener Reviews
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" Nice biographical portrait of Joyce in chatty, familiar style. "
— Mark, 12/16/2013 -
" This book, the bio of Oscar Wilde, and "Angela's Ashes" describe so clearly the affects of alcoholism on the body, that it is a wonder that detox centers don't use them more often as conversation starters. "
— Dayla, 11/21/2013 -
" Edna O'Brien does well. I have to admit it turned me on Joyce a little. Be it Catholicism, alcohol or whatnot, we should try to get past it. Instead, Joyce was consumed by his demons and rather a nightmare for those around him. "
— Gary, 10/14/2013 -
" Beautifully written book about the heartbreaking life of a staggering genius. "
— Theresa, 1/16/2013 -
" Although the reader is a bit irritating, I'm gladd I listened. It's a fair and concise biography of Mr. James-Mad-Genius Joyce. Am I ready for something more scholarly? Probably not. Let me get through Finnegan's Wake first. "
— Nan, 5/29/2012 -
" O'Brien channels Joyce's ecstatic language and produces a vivid portrait of the man and his city in this fabulous SHORT biography. I am now a huge fan of the Penguin Lives series. "
— Joan, 5/4/2011 -
" <br/>Beautifully written book about the heartbreaking life of a staggering genius. "
— Theresa, 12/22/2009 -
" Although the reader is a bit irritating, I'm gladd I listened. It's a fair and concise biography of Mr. James-Mad-Genius Joyce. Am I ready for something more scholarly? Probably not. Let me get through Finnegan's Wake first. "
— Nan, 5/16/2009 -
" O'Brien channels Joyce's ecstatic language and produces a vivid portrait of the man and his city in this fabulous SHORT biography. I am now a huge fan of the Penguin Lives series. "
— Joan, 11/20/2008 -
" Edna O'Brien does well. I have to admit it turned me on Joyce a little. Be it Catholicism, alcohol or whatnot, we should try to get past it. Instead, Joyce was consumed by his demons and rather a nightmare for those around him. "
— Gary, 8/20/2008
About Edna O’Brien
Edna O’Brien (1930–2024) wrote numerous multiaward–winning books, including the Country Girls trilogy. Awards and prizes include the Irish PEN Lifetime Achievement Award, Writers' Guild of Great Britain, Premier Cavour (Italian), American National Arts Gold Medal, the James Joyce Ulysses Medal 2006, the 2019 David Cohen Prize for lifetime achievement in literature, and the 2018 PEN/Nabokov Award for Achievement in International Literature. She was an honorary member of the American Academy of Arts and Letters. Born and raised in the west of Ireland, she also lived in London for many years.
About the Narrators
Wanda McCaddon (a.k.a. Nadia May or Donada Peters) has narrated well over six hundred titles for major audiobook publishers, has earned numerous Earphones Awards, and was named a Golden Voice by AudioFile magazine.
Wanda McCaddon (d. 2023) narrated well over six hundred titles for major audiobook publishers, sometimes with the pseudonym Nadia May or Donada Peters. She earned the prestigious Audio Award for best narration and numerous Earphones Awards. She was named a Golden Voice by AudioFile magazine.