I Read Finnegans Wake So You Don’t Have To!
But, let me tell you now, this is no insightful academic assessment of what is perhaps the most perplexing, ambiguous and downright impenetrable work of literature known to man. One summer a couple of years ago, in-between writing my own novels of dubious quality, I fancied a bit of a literary challenge. I had participated in Bloomsday – an annual celebration of James Joyce’s other famed work, Ulysses – a few times and it struck me that maybe it was time to tackle the mighty Finnegans Wake. The idea of attempting an idiots guide (or, more appropriately, a guide by an idiot) came about after discussing my attempts at comprehension with friends.
And so this, Finnegans What?, a plaintive effort to decipher the indecipherable, was born. My method was a to read a chapter and then make notes about what I thought might be happening. These were originally posted weekly on my blog for the benefit of curious readers. So what we have here is a chapter-by-chapter explanation, as I read each in turn. This is my interpretation and musings on Joyce’s eponymous work, rather than any kind of instructional companion or serious analysis. Goodness knows, I’m not capable of that kind of high-minded literary endeavour. I’m just an ordinary person, reading Finnegans Wake.
And this is what I came up with.
Lucy Brazier 
I am consigning “how hard can it be” to the bin of terrifying phrases along with “can you just…” and “just one more thing…”
also in there is “we forgot to tell you about these three manuals and we need them this afternoon…”
That last one is less universal, but it has happened…
That last phrase sounds the most terrifying of all! Might I suggest you write them in the style of James Joyce and see what they think? Could be rather fun! 😉
hehehe…
I really should!!
😀
although i am not sure my writing skills extend that far!!
It’s just a case of writing made up nonsense, apparently. Very tempted to do a one-off PorterGirl post in the style of Joyce…
In that case, I shall certainly do it! Made up nonsense is one of the things I am good at..
Sounds a lot like sales documents to be honest…
You absolutely should!!! That would be awesome!!
Give it a go, I have no doubt it would be super! Or JJ-inspired haikus… there’s a thing…
I shall definitely attempt it! 😀
I watched Finnegan’s Rainbow. Does that count ? Also … spider ?
It absolutely counts. Don’t worry – Terry ate the spider. It was a case of eat or be eaten. Probably.