Another instance of Ulysses' literary contribution is his use of stream-of-consciousness, a technique employing carefully structured prose, both humorous and charactering, and involving puns and parodies. Every episode, Gilbert explained, is connected to the Odyssey by theme, technique, and correspondence between characters. The French translator Stuart Gilbert published a defense of Ulysses shortly after its publication in which he supported the novel's use of obscenity and explained its internal structure and links to the Odyssey against accusations of ambiguity. The book can initially seem unstructured and chaotic, and Joyce admitted that he 'put in so many enigmas and puzzles that it will keep the professors busy for centuries arguing over what I meant' (The Observer, 2000). The idea for the novel grew from a story in Dubliners in 1906, which Joyce expanded into a short book in 1907, before reconceptualizing it as the heady novel in 1914 (Ellmann, 1982). Joyce's inspiration for the novel began as a young boy reading Charles Lamb's Adventures of Ulysses and writing an essay entitled 'My Favorite Hero' after being impressed by the wholeness of the character (Goreman, 1939). and was prosecuted for the obscenity in the Nausicaa episode (Ellmann, 1982). Even so, the book faced difficulties in global reception. Ulysses was explosive in its impact on the literary world of 1922' (de Grazia, 27). The first printing sold out, and 'within a year Joyce had become a well-known literary figure. It was a struggle for the author to find a publisher, a comic irony considering that Ulysses is 'niversally hailed as the most influential work of modern times' (Grolier Joyce 69). Ulysses was published in Paris by Shakespeare & Company, 1922. An exceptional example with noted provenance. Also laid into the slipcase is some correspondence relating to the sale of this copy in 1972 by Duschnes in New York City.

Sisley Huddleston’s 5 March 1922 review from The Observer is also laid in (though both items are in prophylactic sleeves that have prevented any offsetting). The front panel of the prospectus has been amended, as often, to indicate the book “is now ready,” and the original buyer must have jumped at the opportunity, as the order panel of the prospectus has been neatly cut away. This example contains the original prospectus with the tipped-on reproduction of the 1918 photo of Joyce by C. Housed in a custom half morocco clamshell box. A near fine example, internally fresh and largely unopened, completely unrestored. Thick quarto, original blue and white wrappers. First edition, one of 750 numbered copies on handmade paper from a total edition of 1000 copies, this is number 992.

Hms ulysses first edition