About this Book

Here is the first complete biography of Joyce written since his death. It presents Joyce as son, lover, husband, and father -- but always as a writer. The book gives a fascinating account of literary life in Europe in Joyce's lifetime, telling of his relations with Yeats, Shaw, Eliot, Hemingway, Proust, and Pound, among others, and paints an altogether fresh picture of Joyce's acquaintances -- writers, artists, and musicians. It reveals new details of Joyce's meeting with his future wife Nora Barnacle, of their life together, and of her quizzical attitude toward his writings. Light is thrown on his break with the Roman Catholic Church, and on his relationship with his emotionally disturbed daughter Lucia. Altogether, the book presents Joyce dramatically and completely, good and bad combined. -- From publisher's description.