Review of Eveline by James Joyce

This book review was written by Eugene Kernes   

Book can be found in: 

Genre = Novel

Collection = Dubliners by James Joyce

Intriguing Connections = 1) Get To Know The Peoples Of The World (Ireland), 

2) Some Type of Romance,

Watch Short Review

Review

Is This An Overview?

Eveline is thinking of running away from home.  Family life has become burdensome.  Eveline is mistreated at home, and needs to work.  The situation is difficult, but is seen in a different manner when running away has become an option.  Running away has the appeal of being treated better, and the prospect of status that marriage would bring.  Eveline and Frank have made arrangements to depart.  But Eveline is hesitant.  What choice does Eveline make?

Questions to Consider while Reading the Book

•What is the raison d’etre of the book?  For what purpose did the author write the book?  Why do people read this book?

•What are some limitations of the book?

•To whom would you suggest this book?

•Who is Eveline?

•Who is Frank?

•How is Eveline’s life changing?

•What is happening with Eveline’s family?

•What choice does Eveline make at the end?

Book Details

Publisher:               Bantam Dell [Random House]

Edition ISBN:         9780553213805

Pages to read:          209

Publication:             2005

1st Edition:              1914

Format:                    Paperback

Ratings out of 5:

Readability    2

Content          2

Overall          2

Review of Araby by James Joyce

This book review was written by Eugene Kernes   

Book can be found in: 

Genre = Novel

Collection = Dubliners by James Joyce

Intriguing Connections = Get To Know The Peoples Of The World (Ireland),

Watch Short Review

Review

Is This An Overview?

The narrator is infatuated.  An infatuation that provides meaning to the days, and tries to seep out.  It turns out that the person whom the narrator is infatuated with, is a nun.  A disappointment, but the infatuation does not readily subside.  The nun suggests going to the bazaar, to Araby, but the nun cannot go.  The narrator decided to go, and get something for the nun.  An uncle was supposed to take the narrator to Araby, but failed in this duty.  The narrator goes to the market by oneself.  Arrives at the bazaar late.  The stalls closed.  At an open stall, the narrator buys nothing.  Why does the narrator not buy anything? 

Questions to Consider while Reading the Book

•What is the raison d’etre of the book?  For what purpose did the author write the book?  Why do people read this book?

•What are some limitations of the book?

•To whom would you suggest this book?

•Who is the narrator?

•Who is the narrator infatuated with? 

•What is Araby? 

•What did the uncle do? 

•What happens in Araby?

Book Details

Publisher:               Bantam Dell [Random House]

Edition ISBN:         9780553213805

Pages to read:          209

Publication:             2005

1st Edition:              1914

Format:                    Paperback

Ratings out of 5:

Readability    2

Content          1

Overall          1

Review of An Encounter by James Joyce

This book review was written by Eugene Kernes   

Book can be found in: 

Genre = Novel

Collection = Dubliners by James Joyce

Intriguing Connections = 1) Get To Know The Peoples Of The World (Ireland), 

2) Some Kind of Friendship

Watch Short Review

Review

Is This An Overview?

Boys caught up in the novelty of the Wild West.  Interest that overrides the lessons they are meant to receive.  Interest that gets them to skip school to play as if they are in the Wild West.  While playing, the boys have an encounter, with a person who gives them a monologue.  A monologue that changes what they think.  A monologue that begins a change in how the boys interact, and their futures.  What was the monologue about?  

Questions to Consider while Reading the Book

•What is the raison d’etre of the book?  For what purpose did the author write the book?  Why do people read this book?

•What are some limitations of the book?

•To whom would you suggest this book?

•Who is the narrator?

•Who is Joe Dillon?

•What does Joe Dillon grow up to be? 

•Where do the boys go after skipping school?

•What was the encounter? 

Book Details

Publisher:               Bantam Dell [Random House]

Edition ISBN:         9780553213805

Pages to read:          209

Publication:             2005

1st Edition:              1914

Format:                    Paperback

Ratings out of 5:

Readability    2

Content          1

Overall          1

Review of The Sisters by James Joyce

This book review was written by Eugene Kernes   

Book can be found in: 

Genre = Novel

Collection = Dubliners by James Joyce

Intriguing Connections = Get To Know The Peoples Of The World (Ireland)

Watch Short Review

Review

Is This An Overview?

A priest is dying.  The priest had a friend, a young boy, the narrator.  The priest had taught much to the boy, but the boy is ambivalent toward the priest.  When the priest died, the boy was annoyed at feeling freedom by the death.  Some said that the young boy should have friends of one’s own age.  While talking to the sisters of the priest, the boy finds out that the priest’s mental health was declining for some time.  What was the relationship between the boy and the priest?  What did the priest do when the mental faculties were declining?  

Questions to Consider while Reading the Book

•What is the raison d’etre of the book?  For what purpose did the author write the book?  Why do people read this book?

•What are some limitations of the book?

•To whom would you suggest this book?

•Who is the narrator?

•What do people think of the narrator?

•What does the narrator think of the priest?

•What happened to the priest?

•What do the sisters think of the priest? 

Book Details

Publisher:               Bantam Dell [Random House]

Edition ISBN:         9780553213805

Pages to read:          209

Publication:             2005

1st Edition:              1914

Format:                    Paperback

Ratings out of 5:

Readability    3

Content          1

Overall          1

Review of Dubliners by James Joyce

This book review was written by Eugene Kernes   

Book can be found in: 

Genre = Novel

Collection = Dubliners by James Joyce

Intriguing Connections = 1) Get To Know The Peoples Of The World (Ireland), 

2) What Defines A Culture? How To Belong To A Community?, 

Watch Short Review

Review

Is This An Overview?

A set of short stories that were meant to be derogatory references to the author’s ethnic group, the Irish.  Sharing the various behaviors that the author disapproved off.  Sharing how the people held themselves back.  Sharing the disapproved ideas the Irish had on various topics.  The original language used inhibited the publication of the stories.  The references were meant to be derogatory, but the author still had nostalgia for Ireland, wanted to take part in the culture.

 

Caveats?

These are short stories, which means they contain little information.  Usually have a single pivotal moment, leaving the potential development of characters for the reader to decide.  The lessons about behavior, or the Irish, can be simple, open, and not limited to the Irish.  Other lessons can be hidden, only to be revealed by a reader who knows the situation the characters were part of.  The socioeconomic, political, and religious background of the characters.  

Questions to Consider while Reading the Book

•What is the raison d’etre of the book?  For what purpose did the author write the book?  Why do people read this book?

•What are some limitations of the book?

•To whom would you suggest this book?

•What is your favorite story?

•What is the story you disapprove of most?

•What do you think of Ireland?

•What did the author think of the Irish?

•Were the characters representative of their culture? 

Book Details

Introduction Author:   Brenda Maddox

Edition:                   Bantam Classic reissue

Publisher:               Bantam Dell [Random House]

Edition ISBN:         9780553213805

Pages to read:          209

Publication:             2005

1st Edition:              1914

Format:                    Paperback

Ratings out of 5:

Readability    2

Content          1

Overall          1