The Cambridge Ulysses: The 1922 Text with Essays and Notes: Library Edition

I read Ulysses for the first time this year and in doing so I bought and read many versions, annotations, critical studies, biographies, and map/photograph collections. This single volume is far more useful and far less expensive. An attractively laid-out facsimile reprint of the 1922 Shakespeare & Co. version (which is typographically superior to most modern printings, which have lines that are too long and fonts that are too small) PLUS intelligent essays for each chapter, with photos and maps; useful but not overbearing annotations; running headers for orientation; cross-referencing to the Gabler edition (which, despite the kerfuffles, is still the academic version of choice), an index of characters, a chronology of Joyce's life, and an excellent list of suggestions for further reading--this book has it all.Only two caveats: First, it is VERY big - roughly 9 x 12.5 x 2.5 - the same dimensions as a volume of the OED, but thicker. I added a picture with three other versions to show the relative size. Second, the printing of the facsimile version is a little light in some places.But, at $35 plus tax, this is an absolutely incredible bargain. I can't recommend it enough.Check out the companion podcast U22 by editor Catherine Flynn. Very useful in its own right.

This is a fantastic resource for those want a deeper dive into Joyce's celebrated novel. But don't buy the paper version for casual reading. It's as big as a small toddler and weighs about the same. (I'm exaggerating, of course, but keep in mind this is a large, unwieldy paper book, great for research, but best read on a Kindle.)

It's a big book--for your desk, not your lap. And it's a beatifully designed labor of love--an exploration of and homage to one of the greatest novels ever written. It's good for dipping into, for looking up favorite passages, and for admiring Joyce's handiwork--and the meticulous scholarship of Catherine Flynn and her collaborators.

at a time when everything else seems to be getting massively more expensive, this is the first thing i've bought in months that made me say, "what a great deal". beautiful binding, just one hell of a book. the essays introducing each chapter are better than they have any business being, and there's even annotations.thanks, mrs. flynn!

The product itself is great but the book cover was bent and ripped.

This centenary copy of Joyce's great masterpiece is physically beautiful - wonderfully colorful dust cover, high quality pages, brilliant fonts. Its truly lovely. The scholarship is also world class, offering information filled essays at the start of each episode by top Joycean academics from across the globe. Plus there are well done annotations with useful references to help the reader.However I have two major issues:(1) the book itself is massive, one of the biggest books around outside of dedicated coffee table books. It weighs in at ~10 lbs. I'm a big strong guy, but even I get tired of holding this thing, fighting to keep the page I'm reading open enough to see it all. You can rig up pillows and/or other props, but who wants to do that? You are going to be reading this thing for many hours, and its just not fun to fight the damn size while trying to take in one of the most challenging works in literature.(2) the annotations at the bottom of each page are difficult to reference with the text. There is no mark or number to let you know a phase/word has an annotation at the bottom. Maybe some people can manage this, but I found myself constantly looking down for something, taking me away from the text. In the end, I decided to visually scan the page for annotations before reading it, and place a small pencil mark next to each. This isn't ideal on a bunch of fronts, but it was the best system I could come up with.At the end of the day, this is a coffee table book. I had to abandon it after approximately 100 pages - and go back to my normal sized, paperback copy. As a coffee table book, it will look awesome - and seeing it frequently will remind me of the masterpiece. If this is what you are looking for, buy it. If you are looking to actually read the book without getting a workout each reading session, pass on this version.

I cannot believe this book is offered at such a low price. The notes are very convenient and the commentaries interesting. Yes, it's a heavy volume so I read it while setting it on a table. That does not detract from the reading experience. And Ulysses just happens to be a phenomenal work of art.

What a wonderful celebration of the 100th birthday of what may be the premier creation of the last century. I have always been in love with this oeurve literature since I read it fifty years ago and am enjoying it once again with this fine volume, but with an added dimension presented by the editors.