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[Paris], Tokyo: [Shakespeare and Company ], Yushodo/Inkpen Press, [1922], 2001. A very finely produced facsimile of the first edition of Ulysses, LIMITED to 120 copies. The facsimile is printed on fine paper by the Inkpen Press. Large thick 8vo [195 x 235 mm], beautifully hand-bound in full crushed blue morocco, the spine handsomely lettered in gilt, housed in a blue moire cloth slipcase. (10), 732, (2) pp. A mint, pristine and superb copy. A BEAUTIFULLY PRODUCED FACSIMILE OF THE FIRST EDITION OF JAMES JOYCE’S ULYSSES, the most important novel of the twentieth century . The true first edition of this book is now beyond the range of all but a very small handful of collectors, this facsimile provides the opportunity to own this important and handsome work in a format, and with the feel, of the first edition. ULYSSES can be viewed as the pinnacle of the Modernist movement, and its impact on all subsequent western literature is unmistakable. Such writers as Virginia…

"Ulysses" is a complex and multi-layered novel that takes place over the course of a single day, June 16, 1904, in Dublin, Ireland. It follows the lives and experiences of three central characters: Stephen Dedalus, Leopold Bloom, and Molly Bloom. Stephen Dedalus is a young aspiring writer and artist, a character partially based on Joyce himself. He struggles with his identity, his relationship with his deceased mother, and his place in the world. Leopold Bloom, a middle-aged Jewish man, is the novel's central figure. He works as an advertisement canvasser and has a deep affection for his wife, Molly. Throughout the day, Bloom encounters various events and people as he navigates Dublin. His experiences and thoughts are depicted in a stream-of-consciousness narrative style, offering insight into his musings on life, love, and his surroundings. Molly Bloom, Leopold's wife, is introduced in the final episode of the book. Her interior monologue, famously known as the "Penelope" episode, showcases her thoughts, desires, and memories, providing a different perspective on the events of the day. The novel is divided into 18 episodes, each employing a different narrative technique, style, or literary device. Joyce experiments with language, employing puns, allusions, parodies, and various linguistic styles to reflect the characters' thoughts and the vibrant atmosphere of Dublin. "Ulysses" draws heavily on Homer's "The Odyssey," with each episode mirroring an episode in the ancient epic and paralleling the adventures of Odysseus. The title itself references the Latinized name of Odysseus, and the novel explores themes of journey, identity, exile, and the human condition. Throughout the book, Joyce tackles various aspects of human experience, including politics, religion, sexuality, art, mortality, and the mundane details of everyday life. The novel is celebrated for its rich literary innovations, intricate structure, and depth of meaning, but it's also renowned for its challenging and experimental nature, which can make it a demanding read for some audiences.