Books

London: Folio Society, 2004, Folio Society Numbered Limited Edition. Full goatskin leather blocked with a design by Jeff Clements, numbered 40 of a limited production of 1760, of which 1750 are for sale. This edition published by the Folio Society on 16 June 2004 to mark the centenary of the day on which the action of the book is set. Full blue morocco with gilt titles to the spine together with gilt and black decoration to the spine and both boards, gold coloured end papers, text pages clean and unread. Housed in the original clamshell box with marks and light wear, gilt titles to the spine and front. Pagination: xix, [ii], 735pp. Provenance: no inscriptions or bookplates. Approximately 10 � inches tall (27cm). Condition Report Externally Spine very good condition gilt titles and decoration. Joints very good condition. Corners very good condition. Boards very good condition gilt decorated blue goatskin leather. Page edges very good condition gilt top edges, others white. Clamshell box good condition minor marks see photos. See above and photos. Internally Hinges very good condition sound. Paste downs very good condition gold coloured. End papers very good condition gold coloured. Title very good condition unread. Pages very good condition unread. Binding very good condition attractive. See photos. Publisher: see above. Publication Date: 2004 Binding: Hardback.

"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.