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Literary Fiction· Ireland

Ulysses

by James Joyce
Aggregate Editorial Score41/100
Guardian 100 Best Novels
Published 1922736 pagesEnglish
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About This Book

When James Joyce published Ulysses in 1922, it quickly found its place in the broader tradition of literary fiction. Leopold Bloom, Stephen Dedalus, and Molly Bloom move through Dublin on a single June day in 1904 in Joyce's epochal modernist masterpiece, which maps Homer's Odyssey onto the streets and consciousnesses of its characters. Widely considered the greatest novel of the twentieth century, Ulysses transformed what the novel could be. Themes of consciousness, Dublin, mythology run through the work. The book has received recognition from Guardian 100 Best Novels 1922.

Book Details

AuthorJames Joyce
Published1922
Country of Origin🇮🇪 Ireland
LanguageEnglish
Pages736
Category📖 Literary Fiction
ISBN9780679722007
Editorial Score41/100
About the Category

📖 Literary Fiction

Character-driven fiction that prioritises style, theme, and psychological depth.

Explore all Literary Fiction books →
Country of Origin

🇮🇪 Ireland

This book is part of Ireland's rich literary tradition.

Explore books from Ireland →

Editorial Assessment

First published in 1922, James Joyce's Ulysses is a work of literary fiction that has drawn sustained interest from critics and prize committees alike. Its engagement with consciousness, Dublin, mythology, modernity gives the book a depth that extends well beyond its genre. Critics and institutions have consistently placed Ulysses among the notable works of its period. Among its recognitions: Guardian 100 Best Novels 1922. Our aggregate score of 41/100 is compiled from 1 editorial sources that range from Nobel and Booker committees to leading literary journals. What distinguishes Ulysses is how it handles its central concerns — consciousness, Dublin, mythology, modernity — without reducing them to neat conclusions. The book invites close reading and holds up well to it. James Joyce's role in the literature of Ireland is well established. Ulysses can be read as both a standalone achievement and as part of a broader national literary conversation about identity, history, and the possibilities of narrative form.
About this assessment: Editorial scores are aggregated from 1 independent sources including major literary prizes, critical surveys, and leading publications. Our editorial team reviews and contextualises this data. Rankings reflect critical consensus, not personal opinion or popularity metrics. Learn about our methodology.

Awards & Recognition

Guardian 100 Best Novels
list · global
192221
✍️
About the Author
James Joyce
Ireland
View Author →

James Joyce is a celebrated author from Ireland known for influential works of literary fiction.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Ulysses about?

Leopold Bloom, Stephen Dedalus, and Molly Bloom move through Dublin on a single June day in 1904 in Joyce's epochal modernist masterpiece, which maps Homer's Odyssey onto the streets and consciousnesses of its characters. Widely considered the greatest novel of the twentieth century, Ulysses transformed what the novel could be.

Who wrote Ulysses?

Ulysses was written by James Joyce, from Ireland. First published in 1922.

What awards has Ulysses won?

Ulysses has received the following awards and honours: Guardian 100 Best Novels 1922.

Is Ulysses worth reading?

Ulysses is a book that has earned critical recognition, with an aggregate editorial score of 21/100 on 50 Best Books, based on mentions across 1 editorial source. It is particularly recommended for readers interested in consciousness, Dublin, mythology.

Where can I buy Ulysses?

You can buy Ulysses on Amazon. Click the Buy on Amazon button above to find the best edition.

What category is Ulysses?

Ulysses is classified as Literary Fiction. Character-driven fiction that prioritises style, theme, and psychological depth.

What country is Ulysses from?

Ulysses originates from Ireland's literary tradition. Explore more books from Ireland on our country page.

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