James Joyce

Richard Ellmann's *James Joyce* stands as the definitive and unparalleled biography of the literary giant, unmatched by subsequent attempts since its original publication in 1959. Ellmann's success stems from several distinct advantages, notably his profound mastery of the Irish cultural landscape, evident across his acclaimed works on Yeats and Wilde. He is also a graceful, witty, and admirably unintimidated stylist himself, making the complex subject matter not only accessible but compelling. Crucially, Ellmann displays an uncanny insight into Joyce's complex personality, balancing a deep reverence for his literary genius with a kind of bemused affection for his human foibles, presenting a full, nuanced portrait of both the artist and the man. Whether depicting Joyce putting the finishing touches on *Ulysses*, falling down drunk in the streets of Trieste, or talking dirty to his future wife via the postal service, Ellmann's account consistently reveals a genius and a human being—a daunting enough task even for a fiction writer. This magisterial work has since been revised and expanded to include newly discovered primary material, enriching its already comprehensive scope with details of a failed love affair, a limerick about Samuel Beckett, and previously unknown letters. Awarded both the National Book Award and the Pulitzer Prize, *James Joyce* is considered Ellmann's masterpiece; its meticulous research, interpretive brilliance, and masterful prose firmly establish it as the essential account of its subject and the crowning achievement on any "Best books by Richard Ellmann" list.