30 pages • 1 hour read •
Finnegans Wake
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Book Brief
628
Novel • Fiction
1939
Faber & Faber
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
Finnegans Wake by James Joyce follows a pub landlord in Dublin, Humphrey Chimpden Earwicker (HCE), who dreams of many identities, including mythological and historical figures. HCE experiences a fall from grace related to an incident involving indecent exposure. His wife, Anna Livia Plurabelle, tries to defend him, but her letter is never delivered. Their children, Shem, Shaun, and Issy, contribute to the narrative's complexities, exploring themes of identity and redemption. The book contains references to incidents of sexual misconduct.
Mysterious
Challenging
Fantastical
Contemplative
Humorous
Reviews & Readership
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Review Roundup
Finnegans Wake by James Joyce is a polarizing literary masterpiece. Admirers praise its innovative language and complex structure as a high point of modernist experimentation. Critics, however, argue that its dense and impenetrable prose makes it nearly unreadable. While some see it as Joycean genius, others find it disjointed and frustrating.
Who Should Read Finnegans Wake?
A reader who would enjoy Finnegans Wake by James Joyce is likely someone who appreciates complex, avant-garde literature, values linguistic innovation, and enjoys deciphering layered, intertextual narratives. Comparable to readers of Thomas Pynchon's Gravity's Rainbow and Virginia Woolf's The Waves, they relish challenging, non-linear storytelling.
14,026 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Anna Livia Plurabelle (ALP)
Anna Livia Plurabelle (ALP)
HCE’s wife, who represents the River Liffey, and acts as a nurturing and supportive presence. Her monologue and loving nature contrast with the complexities of the narrative.
Shaun
Shaun
The assertive son of HCE and ALP, known for his role as a postman tasked with delivering a letter. His competitive nature defines his rivalry with his twin brother, Shem.
Shem
Shem
The introspective twin brother of Shaun, often associated with artistic pursuits. He serves as the counterpart to Shaun, delving into themes of creativity and identity.
Isabel (Issy)
Isabel (Issy)
The daughter of HCE and ALP, who often appears in multiple guises. Her character serves as a symbol of desire and passivity amidst the family dynamics.
Finnegans Wake is known for its complex language, featuring a blend of multilingual puns and portmanteau words, making it one of the most difficult works of literature to translate.
James Joyce spent over 17 years writing Finnegans Wake, and the novel was published in 1939, two years before his death.
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Unlike most books, Finnegans Wake starts with the last half of the sentence that ends the book, creating a cyclical narrative structure.
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628
Novel • Fiction
1939
Faber & Faber
Adult
18+ years
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