James Joyce's Ulysses

Originally published under Joyce's supervision in 1930, this Vintage paperback edition with cover by Leo Lionni remains one of the most important early guides to Joyce's modernist masterpiece. Gilbert's study appeared when Ulysses was still banned in many countries and misunderstood by most readers.

Gilbert provides detailed analysis of Joyce's complex novel, explaining its stream-of-consciousness technique, mythological parallels to Homer's Odyssey, and innovative literary methods. The study offers chapter-by-chapter commentary while exploring Joyce's revolutionary approach to narrative, character development, and linguistic experimentation. Gilbert's analysis helped establish interpretive frameworks still used by Joyce scholars today.

This was among the first serious critical studies of Ulysses, legitimizing Joyce's work within academic literary discourse. Gilbert's analysis helped readers navigate the novel's complexity and appreciate its artistic achievements. The book played a crucial role in establishing modernist literature's critical reception and influenced how experimental fiction was approached and understood.

Stuart Gilbert worked closely with Joyce during the book's composition, giving him unique insights into the author's intentions and methods. The study appeared when Ulysses was still legally unavailable in many countries due to obscenity charges. Gilbert's analysis helped prepare ground for the novel's eventual acceptance into the literary canon. Joyce himself contributed to Gilbert's understanding, though he later expressed ambivalence about over-interpretation of his work.