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A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man

(Penguin Classics)

By James Joyce, Seamus Deane (Editor)

(307)

| Paperback | 9780142437346

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Book Description

A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man portrays Stephen Dedalus's Dublin childhood and youth, providing an oblique self-portrait of the young James Joyce. At its center are questions of origin and source, authority and authorship, and the relationship of an artist to his family, culture, andContinue

Critics

'A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man' by James Joyce

The first part of his novel is enormously entertaining and deeply moving. Joyce captures the voice of the child protagonist so well, you want to wrap the young Stephen Dedalus up in your arms to protect him from the school bullies and the violent pri ... (read full critics)

readingmatters published on Mon, 27 Sep 2010

9 Reviews

1 person find this helpful

This is a really lovely piece of literature by Joyce. Little details about early school days, temptations, religious thoughts and practices, and home life with the extended family. Considering how long ago this was written the religious dissertation by the priest could almost be a sermon by an evang ... (continue)

This is a really lovely piece of literature by Joyce. Little details about early school days, temptations, religious thoughts and practices, and home life with the extended family. Considering how long ago this was written the religious dissertation by the priest could almost be a sermon by an evangelical minister in a Free Church today! Joyce doesn't try to hid the difficulties of youth or the difficulties of religious experience. Greatly enjoyed it!

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GraJon said on Aug 2, 2008 | Add your feedback

For me, this book was difficult to follow and make much sense of but I did appreciate it for its description of Ireland at the beginning of the 1900s and to see to what extent the Catholic church served in the lives and consciousness of the Irish people.

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Stcin10 said on Apr 7, 2011 | Add your feedback

I actually prefer Stephen Hero, the rougher draft. There's a lot in there that isn't in the polished version.

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DustMoteVII said on Mar 23, 2010 | Add your feedback

Joyce's writing style is amazing! The story is well written and, especially the final chapter, is interesting. In addition, it's the most important chapter of the book, where finally the real Stephen's soul of the artist emerges.

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Valù said on Mar 7, 2010 about the Hardcover edition | Add your feedback

Well, if i could speak English as Joyce can, i would have loved this book. Until i could follow the story, i was enjoying it. Of course, i missed something, but those were only details. Now i'm completely lost. I'll buy it in Italian, sooner or later. I'm not capable of reading without understanding ... (continue)

Well, if i could speak English as Joyce can, i would have loved this book. Until i could follow the story, i was enjoying it. Of course, i missed something, but those were only details. Now i'm completely lost. I'll buy it in Italian, sooner or later. I'm not capable of reading without understanding anymore. So sorry.

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Alfred said on Sep 5, 2009 about the Mass Market Paperback edition | Add your feedback