The above graphic is quite humorous because this READ ALONG has become a READ ALONE. Not quite alone because I think Serena is still with me but if so, she is hanging by a thread because part two was like reading a book in another language.
Part Two is the longest of the three sections and much of it reads as gibberish. However, one section called Nausicaa (according to Wikipedia) was quite readable and all about Leopold Bloom (ahem) pleasuring himself. I find it incredibly amusing that the only section that made sense was this section. In it, Bloom admires a young woman from afar and while fireworks go off in the distance, so does Bloom.
Part Two ends with Bloom visiting a brothel. He’s overcome by sexual fantasies and hallucinations. One of which, involves a visit from his deceased son, Rudy. While there, his friend Stephen angers a soldier and gets punched in the face.
I did not enjoy the first half of Part Two AT ALL but the second half of it was quite entertaining. I don’t think anyone is left but if you are still with me, what did you think of the script format? It was very strange to have inanimate objects talking but if I’ve learned anything while reading this book, it’s that anything goes, no matter how weird or strange it may be.
Why does Joyce take so long to tell a story that takes place all in one day? I mean, there were pages and pages of words blended together and made-up words. I don’t think I could write nonsensical sentences like his even if I tried.
I’ve actually finished the book! Early, and everything but I’ll wait until next week to talk about part three.
Book Chatter 
I am so impressed!
I feel as if I need a special badge or something.
I can’t believe you read the whole thing! Way ahead of me. I’m still plugging along in part two. I think I didn’t realize how much I needed to concentrate on the reading of this one and there were so many activities and appointments this month. Reading is tough unless its audio. I’m going to finish this one though, but probably after out Part 3 Read-a-long schedule ends 😦
I pushed to finish part two on time but then it got a little racy! I had to keep reading 😉 I can see why it was banned for pornographic content.
Also, I’m wondering about the script-like format you talk about; I might not be there yet because there were some parts that were like reading little snippets of newspaper articles…that was an odd one. I really wonder why this takes place over one day and why it needed to be so long?!
You’re in vignettes. You have a ways to go before you hit the script format. It’s really odd because even inanimate objects like his watch have lines.
I am impressed too…especially when you have other great books to read! You stuck with this one! I would not be able to read this book…ever!
I can see why a lot of people do not finish it once started. You really have to invest some time into it before it even becomes readable. I am baffled as to why Joyce chose to structure it that way.
Wait til you read one of my upcoming reviews – sorry I couldn’t time it better to coincide with your recap but I just read a book that explains how/why Joyce set it all up… Perhaps I should send you the book? would you want it?
Sure. I’m sure he had a reason for setting it up like he did. I feel like he put all that nonsense stuff at the beginning to weed out the readers who were not serious about literature.
I’m with you as a cheerleader! And someone that WILL eventually read this. The timing was wrong – I just couldn’t squeeze it in to do it justice. BUT I thought of you a LOT this last week. 🙂
It’s not nearly as Beastly as many have made it out to be but it is a very rough start.