Finnegans Wake Fans?

Finnegans Wake Fans? ????

#1
Guest_Cluud_*

Posted 27 April 2010 - 10:11 PM

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Joyce's Finnegans Wake is, simply put, one of the most difficult books to read in the English language. Ever since its publication, its polarized readers and critics alike, with some arguing that its so nonsensical that it disgraces Joyce's more famous book Ulysses just by existing, while others promulgate its value due to the undeniable richness of Joyce's choice in diction; the (arguably) borderline absurd amount of multilingual portmanteaus, the (arguably) borderline absurd amount of literally allusions used to progress the plot, and so forth. Any fan of modernist works knows Finnegans Wake and either responds to mentions of the novel with disgust or barely repressed glee.

My question is, do any of you know of the book and, if so, what are your opinions on it? If you've read it, that is. Honestly, few books have polarized critics as much as this one, so its an interesting topic, especially since its polarized not due to perceived obscenity or anything of the like (which is the typical reason why most books are initially disliked and then later on widely acclaimed).

I personally am a big fan of the book but I admittedly haven't finished reading it all the way. I read it extremely slow, often stopping to check on things that I don't understand (honestly theres no shame in being ignorant of some stuff when you're reading it). I've been reading it on and off for awhile. What about you guys (if any of you have read it)?

This post has been edited by Cluud: 27 April 2010 - 10:15 PM

#2
Trafalgar Law

Posted 27 April 2010 - 10:48 PM

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Just remembering that book makes my head hurt, I am not a fan of it but I did try to read it. We were in class and our teacher made us read it and just the first page made many in my class rage quit. The teacher only gave us about 10 minutes to try to read it, surprisingly after that people stopped complaining about reading stories from Shakespeare and other stuff =o. I am amazed at you Cluud, I could barely understand the 5 pages and your kinda far in it... As you said, it's not shameful to look for stuff about things that we don't understand.

This post has been edited by Mazen: 27 April 2010 - 10:49 PM

#3
Guest_Cluud_*

Posted 28 April 2010 - 01:39 AM

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:P Its a bloody great book. I could finish it faster but I consider it more of a project than a book, lol. Its really nothing to be amazed at, the book isn't too difficult once you get into it...its extremely funny.

#4
Trafalgar Law

Posted 28 April 2010 - 03:53 AM

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Cluud, on 28 April 2010 - 01:39 AM, said:

All hail Cluud :<. I want to read it again but I can't find it .__.

#5
Guest_Cluud_*

Posted 28 April 2010 - 07:20 PM

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._. Can't find it at any local library? You should be able to find it somewhere, its fairly popular lol

#6
Rainbow Dash

Posted 03 May 2010 - 12:26 AM

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Started it a few years ago, vowed I'd finish it later, never got around to it.

#7
Guest_Cluud_*

Posted 03 May 2010 - 12:42 AM

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Adora-Belle, on 03 May 2010 - 12:26 AM, said:

Started it a few years ago, vowed I'd finish it later, never got around to it.

maybe you should try getting good then...?

#8
Rainbow Dash

Posted 03 May 2010 - 12:57 AM

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Cluud, on 03 May 2010 - 12:42 AM, said:

Adora-Belle, on 03 May 2010 - 12:26 AM, said:

Started it a few years ago, vowed I'd finish it later, never got around to it.

maybe you should try getting good then...?

#9
Hamlet Piglet

Posted 03 May 2010 - 04:11 AM

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It's not that hard to read o.o, depends on how you think really. Although I gave up on it because I didn't feel any level of satisfaction.

#10
Guest_Cluud_*

Posted 03 May 2010 - 08:36 AM

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WizPig, on 03 May 2010 - 04:11 AM, said:

It's not that hard to read o.o, depends on how you think really. Although I gave up on it because I didn't feel any level of satisfaction.

If you want to read it and understand most of it, then yes, its hard to read, simply because of the absurd amount of intertexual references, multilingual portmanteaus, idiosyncratic neologisms, surreal stream of consciousness writing style, etc. You only feel satisfied if you understand joyce's humor, which you only get the full effect of if you understand the references and words. The book reads like a dream - a hilarious dream. Few books are as funny. It all depends on how much you put into it. The book largely depends on an idiosyncratic language composed of sixty five + languages, after all - its asinine to think you'll understand all of the references and so forth in the book when reading in a perfunctory fashion. To get the humor, you have to actually know the multi-layered meanings, the puns, etc. I mean, yeah, I have friends who have read Finnegans Wake straight through without even bothering to understand the large majority of it. Reading it is one thing...understanding the depths of Joyce's genius is another. The book is far from impossible to read, and one could argue that its not as hard as people tend to believe, but I don't think any book is as difficult or rich as Finnegans Wake.

#11
Hamlet Piglet

Posted 03 May 2010 - 02:22 PM

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I usually incorporate that type of humor though at a much lesser extent in my writing style, so I understand your point. I'm just saying that being familiarized with what was being presented, I was not really motivated to go through with it after a few pages. It's a matter of opinion and taste really.

It's still pretty good don't get me wrong.

This post has been edited by WizPig: 03 May 2010 - 02:27 PM