Classics and the Western Canon discussion

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Ulysses > An appreciation

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message 1: by Everyman (new)

Everyman | 7718 comments As the Ulysses discussion reaches its official final day, although I'm sure it will continue active for some time to come (I know I'm not finished yet, and I'm sure many others aren't, either), I want to give special recognition and appreciation for the extraordinary job of moderating which Thomas has done over these many weeks.

I have grown used to, though I hope not complacent of, the wonderful contributions of my fellow moderators and group members toward making the discussions here so rich and valuable, but the contribution of Thomas to the moderation of Ulysses has been above and beyond, and deserves special recognition and thanks. I have been constantly awed by his knowledge, wisdom, and skilled guidance of the discussion.

I suspect we also have to ask him to pass on our thanks to his wife for allowing him to spend the many hours with his books and computer. I can only imagine how much time he has devoted to this discussion, but it certainly has been a lot, and his wife has been very gracious in allowing us to monopolize so much of his time.

So, Thomas, please accept my (and I know I speak for many others) personal thanks for your extraordinary contribution here, and please also let your wife know how grateful we are for your time spent here and her willingness to let you devote so much of your energies to our benefit.


message 2: by Linda (last edited Mar 31, 2015 10:27AM) (new)

Linda | 322 comments HEAR HEAR!!

Thank you Everyman, I couldn't have said it better myself.

And thank you, Thomas! It has been a wild and wonderful ride. :)


message 3: by Laurel (new)

Laurel Hicks (goodreadscomlaurele) | 2438 comments Superb, Thomas!


message 4: by Zippy (new)

Zippy | 155 comments Couldn't have done it without you, Thomas!


message 5: by Suzann (new)

Suzann | 384 comments Yes! This must be the best discussion forum on the internet! I appreciate Thomas' enlightened nudges and encouragement to those of us out of our literary comfort zones! Thanks to Thomas and all the participants who kept me reading to the last page. You have made Ulysses a reading adventure of a lifetime!


message 6: by Chris (new)

Chris | 478 comments Totally agree! I could not have made it thus far w/o Thomas' wonderful summaries and others' thoughtful comments!


message 7: by Nicola (new)

Nicola | 249 comments Definite applause from me. I would never have made it through without help from everyone here. Your summaries Thomas were an absolute godsend!


message 8: by Suzann (new)

Suzann | 384 comments Corned beef and cabbage and Killian's Irish Red for dinner! Come on over!


message 9: by Genni (new)

Genni | 837 comments Yes! We are so grateful!


message 10: by Lily (last edited Mar 31, 2015 03:01PM) (new)

Lily (joy1) | 5240 comments Thomas -- and Nancy -- Thank you!

(Nancy -- my statements of adoration and appreciation are less florid than my lamentations, but no less heartfelt. [g])


message 11: by Kyle (new)

Kyle | 192 comments Agreed. The amount of time Thomas must have spent on this whole project is impressive. Great job. And thanks to everyone in the group for having me - I seem to be the new kid in the block. It was engaging and enjoyable to discuss Ulysses with you all.


message 12: by Suzann (new)

Suzann | 384 comments Patrice wrote: "What is Killian's Irish Red?"

A Guinness alternative! Ale I think!


message 13: by Kathy (new)

Kathy (klzeepsbcglobalnet) | 525 comments Yes, thank you, Thomas! I have been wanting to read Ulysses for years, and I will be forever grateful that you and everyone in this group finally led me through it!


message 14: by Thomas (last edited Mar 31, 2015 07:31PM) (new)

Thomas | 4974 comments Well, thank you all so much! It's been a great pleasure, though I won't deny the cost in time and energy. The summaries were not easy, but you all had the more difficult part -- reading and trying to make sense of Ulysses. I think if you turn back to it again at some point you will find it easier, and even more rewarding, for all the effort you put in the first time around.

I'm extremely gratified by the level of participation in this discussion, but I can't say I'm surprised. This group never fails to provide a penetrating analysis of some really tough reads. And just remember this -- you have now read Ulysses by James Joyce, or what he later called The Usylessy Blue Book of Eccles. Bragging rights are yours!

Thank you all for taking up the challenge. Sláinte!


message 15: by Thomas (new)

Thomas | 4974 comments Oh, and one other thing -- some folks are still catching up, hacking their way through the weeds, as it were. As always, the threads stay open and I will be keeping my eye on them for new comments, be they cries of despair or triumph.


message 16: by Lily (new)

Lily (joy1) | 5240 comments Thomas wrote: "...BE THEY CRIES OF DESPAIR OR TRIUMPH...."

!!


message 17: by Nancy (new)

Nancy O | 13 comments I wanted a smart man, and I got one! I'm VERY proud of him, even if he still loads the dishwasher the wrong way. He's one of the smartest people I've ever come across. And funny. He's one of a kind. And I'm always pleased when people recognize that.

I'm not finished yet--during the course of the reading, we've had one dog die and acquired another. So my time has been usurped by Project Dog. But I'll finish.


message 18: by Tk (new)

Tk | 51 comments Hear hear! Thanks to everyone, especially Thomas, for all of the great insight into Ulysses.


message 19: by Sue (new)

Sue Pit (cybee) | 329 comments Yes, bravo, Thomas! Job well done! Reading with this wonderful group was the only way I would have ever attempted such a feat such as Ulysses…and no better guide than Thomas! Thank you.


message 20: by Tiffany (new)

Tiffany (ladyperrin) | 269 comments Great job, Thomas!


message 21: by Theresa (new)

Theresa | 861 comments Wonderful work Thomas! Thanks so much. The discussion here will be a treasure to return to come Bloomsday of every year.

Speaking of that, I read most of the book, listened to parts. I was planning to listen to it all after the first reading. I might just do a marathon listening on the weekend of June 12, 13,14,15 for about 8 hrs a day. I figure that having read it once, I can listen to the audio while doing other things and not have to give it my undivided attention.

Anyone else? Hey Zippy? :)


message 22: by Theresa (new)

Theresa | 861 comments Ready to start. Should be a little easier the second time around.


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