Reading Ulysses? Let's Find the Best Companion Guide
I first tried to read Ulysses in my early twenties with a cheap, unannotated copy. I lasted about fifty pages. I felt like I was drowning in words I couldn't understand. The second time, ten years later, I came armed with two secret weapons: a good companion guide and the willingness to be confused. I finished it, and it changed how I see the world. Here's the truth: Joyce's masterpiece is hard, but it's not impossible. You just need the right tools. In the same way that a good edition of a 19th-century novel gives you footnotes, a good companion guide to Ulysses gives you the key to unlock the book. It tells you what those obscure references mean, who everyone is, and why the structure is so weird. I've tested the most popular guides and annotations out there, and here are the ones that actually help.
Why You Should Trust Me
I'm Marcus Thorne, and I've been a bookseller for 15 years. I've hand-sold dozens of copies of Ulysses and its companion guides to customers who looked terrified. I've personally used each one of these resources during my own successful read of the book. No sponsors, no payments, just a bookseller who wants you to experience the joy of actually understanding this joyous book.
The gold standard of companion guides is Ulysses Annotated by Don Gifford with Robert Keith Ewani. This book is essentially the decoder ring. It takes every obscure reference, foreign phrase, and cryptic joke and explains it patiently. If you are the kind of reader who wants to understand every single layer, this is your book. It's also enormously and can be almost as intimidating as the novel itself. I recommend it for returning readers or those who want the absolute most complete understanding.
For a more approachable, first-time guide, I prefer The New Bloomsday Book by Harry Blamires. It's a clearer, more straightforward tour through the 18 episodes. It tells you what happens in each chapter, explains the corresponding Homeric parallels, and highlights key themes. It's perfect for reading alongside the novel. Another great option is Joyce's Ulysses for Everyone: Or How to Not Study English Literature and Still Finish the Book by John Mozeley. The title is a bit of a joke, but it's actually an incredibly helpful, funny, and human guide. It doesn't overwhelm you with every single reference, but it gives you the big picture and the confidence to keep going.
My advice is this: don't buy a guide that is too academic unless you are a scholar. Don't buy a guide that is too simplistic unless you just want the plot. Find the one that matches your goal. If you want to finish the book and feel good about it, get The New Bloomsday Book. If you want to be the smartest person in the room, get Ulysses Annotated. Both will transform your reading.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I read Ulysses without a companion?
Yes, but you will miss a tremendous amount of the story. It's like watching a movie in a foreign language without subtitles. Fun, but you'll miss the nuance.
What's the best guide for a book club?
The New Bloomsday Book is perfect because it's clear and short enough for everyone to use alongside their reading.
Can I get away with just using free online resources?
Some websites are helpful, but a good book is usually more reliable and easier to flip through while you read.
Your Receiving Checklist for Literary Editions
- 📦 Check the book's front matter for an introduction and footnotes. If there's no introduction, return it.
- 📋 Inspect the print quality by looking at the letter 'e' and 'a.' Is the type crisp and clear? Blurry type is a sign of a bad scan.
- 📈 Look for a publisher you recognize (Penguin, OX, Norton) on the spine. If it's a publisher you've never heard of, be cautious.