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

On 23rd February 2012, Hove's premier book group gathered at The Poets Corner pub for another evening of cultural discourse, ale, insight and bonhomie.

The biggest shock, and biggest disappointment, was that Nick - who had made the selections - had to unexpectedly work late and so we were not able to hear his thoughts about the text he had set us.

At Nick's behest we read 'A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man' by James Joyce.

Nick would probably have said something like, "James Joyce’s 'A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man' is a novel of complex themes developed through frequent allusions to classical mythology.  The myth of Daedalus and Icarus serves as a structuring element in the novel, uniting the central themes of individual rebellion and discovery, producing a work of literature that illuminates the motivations of an artist, and the development of his individual philosophy."  Probably.  Alas, we'll never know for sure.

Nick

Don kicked things off by describing the book as "dense".  He then added it was "uninspiring and turgid".  He stopped reading at page 99.  Joyce's description of hell was too disturbing.  Don had read enough.  5/10.  A pass.  Apparently.

Tristan described how the book inspired great emotion within him...anger...and irritation.  He thought James Joyce was a bit of a dick.  Whilst he liked some of the period detail and some of the prose, he wondered what was going on with James Joyce.  The Dedalus character annoyed him and he found much of the book dense and intractable. 3/10.  

Robin gave up on the book at page 200.  He observed how the book saw a mature artist look back over his youth, perceiving what was significant to his development, estimating what was vital, and what was transitory, in that evolvement.  Robin thought that by observing and graphically depicting what confines man, and how man overcomes this confinement, and he might live once he is free, James Joyce helped him to understand the motivations and the outlets for human expression.  Robin stated that - like Daedalus and Icarus - Stephen Dedalus assumed the role of "a persecuted hero" who must overcome his personal weaknesses, and the oppression of his environment, to gain spiritual enlightenment. 6/10.

Robin

Nigel wanted to like it and was excited about reading it; he was attracted by the lack of a traditional narrative and the book's reputation and Joyce's reputation. Nigel enjoyed the early descriptions of his family, the descriptions of his school days especially when he had a fever, the questioning of his faith especially the vivid description of hell (though he felt this was perhaps a few pages too long), and the way he finally overcomes the pressures of country, family and Catholicism.  Some descriptive passages were memorable and powerful, for example the play, and the evening where Dedalus ends up on the beach.

Nigel thought the book was probably of greatest interest to scholars and academics and those interested in the history of literature (and in particular the modernist phase).  He likened it to experimental music whilst it makes an important statement it doesn't necessarily make for a good listen, or in this case a good read.  Nigel felt the lengthy university conversations towards the end of the book were particularly tedious.  Ultimately he was unsure what Joyce was trying to say, and wondered about the point of the book.  He didn't feel he'd gained very much by reading it, and would not recommend it. He said, "It's perfectly fine, but vastly overrated by many." 5/10. 

Keith

Keith described it as "challenging" whilst also being "a bit of a ramble".  He conceded that, whilst many novelists choose their own young life as the subject for their first book, very few subject themselves to the intense self-scrutiny of Joyce.  Keith enjoyed the way Joyce wrestled with the pressures of his family, his Church and his nation, and yet thought the book was far from a straightforward youthful tirade. Keith concluded that the novel was "daringly experimental" and "took us deep into Stephen's psyche".  He then concluded by giving the book the highest score of the night.  8/10.  Nick would have been so proud.  

An overall rating of 5.4 from Hove's finest.

Next we discussed Nick's film choice 'The Guard'.

Keith thought it was fun, but didn't bear much scrutiny, and then awarded it with 8/10.

Nigel thought it was funny, provocative and clever, and he gave it 9/10.

Robin gave it 7/10, and added that he preferred 'In Bruges'.

Hamish thought it was a good romp and gave it 8/10.

Tristan enjoyed it very much and gave it 7.5/10.

Don........had gone home.





Finally we discussed a Simple Minds' compilation 'Early Gold'.  Nick had distributed the music under the moniker ‘Mystery Celtic Sounds’.

There was a lot of love for Simple Minds from Nigel and Hamish.  Keith was more dismissive.  We enjoyed a  great discussion on the UK/Irish bands that made it in America and those that didn't.  And what Simple Minds lost when they went "stadium".

Hamish said he was obviously initially disappointed that the ‘Mystery Celtic Sounds’ emerging from his speakers were not the opening bars to "Rattle and Hum" but he also acknowledged that "you can’t have everything".  He described how his mid-teenage years saw ample airplay for U2, Simple Minds and Big Country.  He was particularly keen on U2 back in those halcyon days.  Hamish was interested to note that Jim and Charlie said U2 had based 'Unforgettable Fire' on 'New Gold Dream'. 

Hamish could not think of another band that went from being so effortlessly cool, to being so completely and utterly uncool, as Simple Minds.  And on that bombshell we bade each other could night and wended our way out into the cool night air.

Next time we will be discussing Keith's picks.  Watch this space.