James Joyce Reads Selections from Ulysses, Finnegans Wake, with Cyril Cusak Reading Joyce [Abridged, Audiobook] [Audio Cassette]

James Joyce (Author, Reader)

Book Description

Series: Audio Cassette-unabridged | Publication Date: March 21, 1992

The only recording ever made of James Joyce himself reading from "Ulysses"--the classic novel that forever changed the course of 20th-century literature. Also included, Joyce reading from "Finnegans Wake" and Cyril Cusack reading selections from Joyce's poetry. "Ulysses, passage from the Aeolus episode * Chamber Music, I through XXXVI * Finnegans Wake, Anna Livia Plurabelle * Pomes Penyeach * Ecce Puer" On Recording James Joyce: In 1924, I went to the office of His Master's Voice in Paris to ask them if they would record a reading by James Joyce from Ulysses. But they would agree only if it were done at my expense. The record would not have their label on it, nor would it be listed in their catalogue. I accepted the terms: thirty copies of the recording to be paid for on delivery.Joyce himself was anxious to have this recording made. He had made up his mind, he told me, that this would be the only reading from Ulysses. Recording was done in a rather primitive manner in those days. All the same, I think the Ulysses recording is a wonderful performance. I never hear it without being deeply moved. -Sylvia Beach

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

James Joyce (1882-1941) revolutionized twentieth-century writing with his use of the "stream of consciousness" technique. While ingeniously innovative and experimental, he was also a keenly precise chronicler of the people, places, and sounds of his native Dublin. His other works include A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man, Finnegans Wake, and Ulysses, which is widely regarded as the greatest novel of the twentieth century.

Product Details

• Audio Cassette
• Publisher: Caedmon (March 21, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1559945656
• ISBN-13: 978-1559945653
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 4.2 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,889,097 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #2 in Books > Books on Cassette > Authors, A-Z > ( J ) > Joyce, James

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good, but . . ., March 19, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: James Joyce Reads Selections from Ulysses, Finnegans Wake, with Cyril Cusak Reading Joyce (Audio Cassette)

While this seems to be a good product (admittedly, I don't possess it), I would think twice about buying it. "The James Joyce Audio Collection" (which I do possess) - another collection of readings at $20.97 (on Amazon as of 3/19/04; ISBN: 0060501790) - offers everything this product has and more for only an additional ten dollars. I suppose if you're only interested in the Joyce readings (only two on either collection, unfortunately), this may be the right product: they are undoubtedly the highlight of either collection, and are well worth even twenty dollars alone. Still, why throw away the opportunity to hear a fantastic reading of Molly's soliloqy, or listen to Fr. Arnall's hellfire sermon pounded out? Do yourself a favor and spring for the 4-disk "Joyce Audio Collection."

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars absolutely necessary for any one who wants to read Joyce, July 12, 1999

By 

"christopher_tm" - See all my reviews

This review is from: James Joyce Reads Selections from Ulysses, Finnegans Wake, with Cyril Cusak Reading Joyce (Audio Cassette)

I heard selections from this on the radio on Bloom'sday (what 12 years ago?) and it was, essentially, my first experience with Joyce. I became an instant fan. Incidentally, this may have been the basis for my theory that the only proper way to read the book is _out loud_; suddenly it becomes much clearer and more intelligible (and, I might add, funnier!)

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Joysprick! Joygrantit! Ear! Ear!, January 25, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: James Joyce Reads Selections from Ulysses, Finnegans Wake, with Cyril Cusak Reading Joyce (Audio Cassette)

James Joyce reads from his work. Who could ask for anything more? (I could. Why didn't he read every word he ever wrote?) N.B.: in the "Anna Livia" episode, he lays on the Irish accent with a trowel. I can see the Grammies: "and the winner is...James Joyce for 'Anna Livia Plurabelle'! " Pour a glass of bluemilk, loosen your talktapes, and enjoyce.