James Joyce's Ulysses (1922) has been called the greatest literary masterpiece of the 20th century. Although the size and scope of Joyce's epic scares away many readers, I encourage you to dig into this novel. You'll soon begin to enjoy the complexity and beauty of Joyce's style; and you'll discover why the book has been so controversial (and banned). Read more about James Joyce's Ulysses. It's a classic, not to be missed.
1. Ulysses
by James Joyce. Read The Gabler Edition, the definative edition of James Joyce's "Ulysses." From Vintage: "Considered the greatest 20th century novel written in English, in this edition Walter Gabler uncovers previously unseen text. It is a disillusioned study of estrangement, paralysis and the disintegration of society."
2. Ulysses
by James Joyce. This book features the 1961 corrected version of James Joyce's "Ulysses." This version also contains Joyce's original forwards, along with the text for the court ruling that removed the ban on "Ulysses."
3. Ulysses: A Reproduction of the 1922 First Edition
by James Joyce. Dover. From the publisher: "Denounced as obscure, unintelligible, nonsensical, and obscene, it was first published in Paris in 1922 and remained banned in the United States until 1933... Ulysses draws upon a complex network of symbolic parallels from mythology, history, and literature."4. Ulysses
by James Joyce, and Jeri Johnson (Editor). Oxford University Press. Read the OUP edition of James Joyce's masterpiece. "Ulysses" was first published on James Joyce's 40th birthday, appearing in Sylvia Beach's Paris bookshop, Shakespeare & Company, but the novel has been criticized and censored because of its controversial content. Even with long and sordid history of the book, "Ulysses" is rightly recognized as one of the greatest masterworks of the 20th century.5. New Bloomsday Book: A Guide through Ulysses
by Harry Blamires. Routledge. If at first you don't succeed, try, try again. But, in the case of James Joyce's "Ulysses," you may also want to get a little critical assistance to walk you through your reading experience. From the publisher: "'The New Bloomsday Book' is a crystal clear, page-by-page, line-by-line running commentary on the plot of Ulysses, which illuminates symbolic themes and structures along the way."6. Yes I Said Yes I Will Yes
by Nola Tully. Vintage. In this book, Nola Tully celeberates the 100th anniversary of Bloomsday, in a celebration of James Joyce and his famous "Ulysses." From Vintage: "On the fictional morning of June 16, 1904--Bloomsday, as it has come to be known--Mr. Leopold Bloom set out from his home at 7 Eccles Street and began his day’s journey through Dublin life in the pages of James Joyce’s novel of the century, 'Ulysses'."7. James Joyce's Ulysses
by Stuart Gilbert. From Vintage: "With the passing of each year, 'Ulysses' receives wider recognition and greater acclaim as a modern literary classic. To comprehend Joyce's masterpiece fully, to gain insight into its significance and structure, the serious reader will find this analytical and systematic guide invaluable. In this exegesis, written under Joyce's supervision, Stuart Gilbert presents a work that is at once scholarly, authoritative and stimulating."