Corespondența

This collection of James Joyce’s letters explores his private life and his work as a writer. It offers readers of literary letters a view of his struggles with his books. His tone shifts from open warmth to guarded, formal reserve. Henri Michaux’s view of Joyce as deeply closed contrasts with these glimpses of his inner life.

Joyce recounts the long effort behind Ulise. He dates its start to 1914 and expects to finish in 1921. He describes writing across twelve homes, with the latest the coldest. His notes fill a small suitcase. He puts his work on the book at nearly 20,000 hours.

Other letters touch on the demands his writing makes on readers. He also records writing his first two pages since finishing Ulise. His brother contrasts that book’s long day with the dark night of the work that follows. The volume belongs to the Ocheanul intors series.