Books

London: John Lane The Bodley Head, 1936 . First edition. Cloth. Very Good Indeed/Good Only. 10" by 8". None. The first edition published in Britain of James Joyce's magnum opus, the renowned modernist novel 'Ulysses', in the original, unclipped dust wrapper. The first authorised edition to be published in Britain. Bound in the publisher's cloth, with the striking bow motif in gilt to the front cover, designed by English sculptor and artist, Eric Gill. Presented here in the publisher's original unclipped dust wrapper. This is number 589 of a Limited Edition, printed on Japon vellum paper bound in linen buckram, limited to 1,000 copies. Written by Irish novelist and poet, James Joyce, 'Ulysses' is an incredibly influential novel, and a major work in the modernist canon. It was first serialized in the American journal 'The Little Review' in 1918-20 before being published in its entirety by Sylvia Beach in Paris (1922). A parallel of Homer's epic 'The Odyssey', Joyce's novel is set…

"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.

The first edition features blue wrappers.