A review by raeviews
A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man by James Joyce

challenging dark reflective slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

James Joyce's mastery of the English language is on full display here. This book is 100% moody prose filled with religious trauma, sexual frustration, and intellectual development. I liked how the narrative style shifted as Stephen grew up, reflecting his development. Honestly, I found parts of the beginning a bit hard to follow, and I would have benefitted from some more background knowledge. I found this book to be enjoyable mostly because of the language. Joyce is very skilled at describing emotions and capturing mood. 
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