From the Introduction: Important to Note Before Beginning the Book Itself

Note: From here on out I shall affectionately refer to this book as the Wake and to James Joyce as JJ.

Although difficult with intense use of a thesaurus, at least the introduction is written in fluent English and was helpful in preparing me for the text itself. Here is what I have gathered so far:

1. This is not an ordinary novel. I need to throw all my preconceptions about what it means to read/understand/enjoy a novel if I am going to not hate myself for taking on this project.

2. This book is a contradiction is many ways. For example, it seems to ignore and have an aversion to the conventions of the English language; while at the same time, it explores and revels in all aspects of that language.

3. With his words Joyce tries to record the aspects of life that there are no words to describe: "That which is beyond language can only be indicated through language" (ix).

4. The Wake is meant to represent the Irish struggle for cultural independence and reverence through language and translation. The question: Does Ireland assert itself as a literary contender in its native tongue (Gaelic), or is it necessary to translate the texts into English to be taken seriously? If so, what is lost or gained in translation? What is lost or gained in yielding to conformity? This is the first aspect of the Wake I find myself relating to: Not just the struggle to find oneself amidst the pressures and expectations of society, but doing it with integrity.

5. There isn't really a story. Darn.

6. The story that does exist is centered around a "Fall" involving a father and his daughter, a park, indecent exposure, and voyeurism. Yikes.

7. It's OK to hate this book. After previewing parts of it, Stanislaus Joyce (JJ's bro) said it was a "rout of drunken words" and that in writing this his brother only wanted to show that he was a "super clever superman with superstyle." Zing.