Dubliners

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Genius in the making - Rated
Any reader with a fondness for Dublin, its history and people should find this captivating collection of short stories fascinating and nostalgic. This edition includes a detailed introduction that places the writer within the context of Ireland's early twentieth-century socio-political and literary history. Joyce's acute observation paints an urban landscape populated by errant priests, heavy drinking, prostitution, middle-class mores, political in-fighting and domestic violence. Numerous references to Dublin's streets and squares made me reach out for my city map. And my mouth watered on reading about stout and barmbrack. For me Joyce captures the seasonal sights, smells and sounds of Edwardian Dublin (trams, Bewley's, brown bricks, Shelbourne Hotel, plum-pudding, the Liffey) with a compassion that is exceptional for a young man who experienced both the privileges and poverty of Dublin society. Joyce's profound understanding of the human condition is reflected in all these stories from the truant schoolboys to the aged recluse. For instance in a moving story a character muses on the `rectitude of his life' describing himself as an `outcast from life's feast.' In another tale the reader is offered a timeless and humorous description of one of life's spongers: `he had a brave manner of coming up to a party ... in a bar and of holding himself nimbly at the borders of the company until he was included in a round.' The city may have changed considerably since Joyce's day but the texture and colour remains the same!!!

A rich book - Rated
This is the second James Joyce book I have read and it goes to reinforce the feeling I had after reading the first that that writer is a great storyteller. In fact, I consider
James Joyce's Dubliners as one of the best collection of short stories ever put together. The settings are amazing and the rich and lively characters all combine with the incredible plots to add credence to the stories. Not only are they true to life in fitting with the atmosphere that one finds in Dublin, the stories are also hilarious, subtle, and inspirational and gripping. The pace of the stories is fast and the voices are rich. This is a highly recommended read along with THE USURPER AND OTHER STORIES, FINNEGANS WAKE, THE UNION MOUJIK

Still a Great Collection of Stories - Rated
I finally read Dubliners and saw that very appealing side to Joyce that won him so much admiration among his readers. Also, having read the book it is quite baffling to think that the book was considered risky by the censors/publisher - and the publication was delayed one full decade in its time.

This was written during the time before radio (and TV of course) in which the short story was king, and characters such as Sherlock Holmes were famous in short and entertaining stories, each of which were eagerly anticipated by the public.

In Dubliners we read a series of excellent short stories that cover a cross section of Irish society in Dublin at the end of the 19th century, including stories of young school lads, dead priests, families having dinner, and all night gamblers but to name a few.

Still after 100 years this is an easy and entertaining read that takes only a few hours to breeze through. For myself this is just great subway or airline reading - to be enjoyed in its simple reading without too much analysis - and it is still a classic that does not disappoint.

The book I wish I'd written - Rated
It may be a staple of school English literature classes but in the case of 'The Dubliners' classic status is well deserved. I find it incredible that such a collection took Joyce so many years to get published, although upon further consideration the implied sexual perversion of 'An Encounter' and the criticisms of Irish culture, materialism and the Church may not have placed it high on an Edwardian publisher's 'to do' list.

Joyce's penetrating and unsentimental portrayal of Dublin, as told through the experiences of a wide cross-section of its inhabitants, is what makes this book great. It is an example of realism at it's most breathtakingly evocative. Eveline and Little Chandler perfectly sum up the complaceny of a city that has the vague desire but not the motivation or guts to change. Mrs Mooney, Corley and Lenehan embody the ruthless selfishness that facilitated the city's descent into immorality and 'Ivy Day in the Committee Room' and 'A Mother' portray perfectly the political stagnancy and shallowness of the cultural revival that characterised the political situation of the time.

I could go on and on but the point is clear. 'The Dubliners' is as perfect an example of gripping literary portraiture as ever there was, surely one of the greatest books ever written. The harsh realism in every story will leave a potent aftertaste in your mouth and a vivid sense of character and location. My personal favourites are the cold self-isolation of 'A Painful Case' and the truly epic 'The Dead.' The lyrical closing section of the book alone more than justifies the cover price. If you read this book in school or university, dig it up and read it again now. If you haven't yet had the pleasure, buy it!

Joyce's book stands out - Rated
Dubliners is a book of short stories that kept me interested throughout, even though I studied it as a A - level text! It provides an insight into the lives of people that can inspire both sympathy and empathy throughout. It provides a harsh reality of nineteenth and early twentieth century life in Dublin. This book is poignant, and unlike the more romantic books available, this will offer a stark realism that can not easily be rivalled. Some of the stories, such as in my opinion, The Sisters, are dull. However, the lack of specifics in these stories leave a large amount to the imagination that can only be good for a seasoned reader - sometimes referred to as 'scrupulous meanness', and The Dead is a fitting climax. It encompasses all of the themes that recur in the book, and is harsh, abrupt and well thought-through.

Not recommended for a younger reader, but a collection of stories to evoke emotion from you and keep your interest throughout. In many ways, you will believe the characters are real