Joyce's other books are difficult (Portrait of an Artist) to impossible (Finnegans Wake). This one reminds me of Chekhov. Closely observed lives. . . no sentimentality, no phony psychology. I found it wonderful and wish that Joyce hadn't become such a pedant. Had he used his incredible talent to write more books people actually read, the world of literature would be the better. Instead he chose to write pedantic books for pedants. ( )

Enjoyed all but a couple of these stories. Dublin, the time and the characters come through fully formed. Apart from a couple - 'Ivy Day in the Committee Room' for example, though that was partly because I don't know enough the history of Irish politics. 'The Dead' is celebrated according to my edition, and it's easy to see why, though not by describing its plot. That's the strength though - it's a dinner party with dancing, nothing more dramatic than that on the surface, but there are many more stories subsumed within, and you can't help but share some of Gabriel's feelings as time goes on. ( )

I ended up liking this book by the end, despite hating it in the beginning. Joyce writes a series of short stories about the characters of Dublin - some of which feel like the end of the story was chopped off. Until I got used to the rhythm and the structure, it was hard to enjoy this book. I enjoyed some of the portraits more than others. Although it has the setting of a historical fiction, this is not the type of book I would typically like. Recommended with reservations. I read this book using DailyLit's email service. ( )

A fabulous collection of short stories by a truly great author. It was published in 1914 when Joyce (1882-1941) was 32.

It very effectively invokes life in Dublin at the turn of the century. It's about people; it's about place.

Each story is a vivid portrayal of the important things in life - and yet it does so by bringing together the small things.

This the Joyce book to read if you have ever struggled with Joyce.

It lives on in my memory many, many years after it was first read. ( )

A collection of short story gems from James Joyce. 'The Dead' is a remarkable story
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