Looks at Books

A look at some interesting Irish books for the holiday season

Ulysses and Us
By Declan Kiberd

Recently we’ve been witnessing the collapse of the Irish economy. Next on the block will be the Irish government.

In this decade, of course, we’ve also witnessed the collapse of the Irish church, so at this point you could be forgiven for wondering if the Republic itself is next. 

In times of crisis it becomes important to refocus on what we truly value as a nation. Economists will turn their attention to the European Union, politicians will focus on their election prospects -- but Irish scholars and the general reader would do well to return to James Joyce.

In Ulysses and Us, author Declan Kiberd’s engaging and lucidly written new book on Ireland’s literary titan, Kiberd is hoping to remind us that Joyce wrote Ulysses for the public, and not the elite academies where it has languished for decades.

Nowadays most Irish people think the book is highbrow literature that’s undecipherable by the common reader. Nonsense, argues Kiberd, it’s for and about the common person.

Why does Ulysses still matter? Because of what it can teach about living a full life, because of its capacity to make us laugh and to move us.

The book’s aim was to celebrate the common man and woman, so there’s a terrible irony in the fact that it’s read by so few of them. That needs to change and Kiberd’s reassessment wants to reintroduce it to its intended audience: us.
Norton, $17.95.

Suck On This Year: LYFAO@140 Characters or Less
By Denis Leary

What to make of Denis Leary’s latest book? Since it’s composed of a random series of short, illustrated tweets, brevity is the watchword -- but unfortunately comedy is not.

Leary’s decision to embrace tweeting came about when he realized that all the fast quips he was making to friends were going to waste. That realization led him to the social network craze, and this slim book is the unexpected result.

Not many celebrities could produce a hardback volume this slight and hope to have it published, never mind read. But Irish American comedian and actor Leary is idolized internationally, so his every pronouncement is re-tweeted by millions. 

Here’s a sampling of his thoughts for your reading pleasure: “This just in: Vatican acquires Neverland ranch.” Or how about: “Mexican government considers legalizing pot. Finally, a reason to sneak IN to Mexico.”

Har har. It must be said, he’s been a lot funnier in the past. And 18 bucks is a lot to ask for a book this skimpy.

But banking on your enjoyment of his past work and the fact that it’s the holiday season, perhaps the publishers are hoping you’ll fall for the fancy packing and not its meager contents.

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Nster.com