Ulysses by James Joyce tops best one hundred novels published this century but is it the least read?
Each year, two hundred thousand copies of Ulysses are sold worldwide. First published in Paris in 1922, the James Joyce work has been translated into over 80 different languages. The book comes in all shapes and sizes from the handy paperback version to a huge tome published in Germany.
Librarian at the James Joyce Centre in Dublin Shane MacThomais says that part of the appeal of Ulysses is that people around the world can apply it to their own cities.
I think that it is truly an international book.
Every year on 16 June, fans of Ulysses flock to Dublin for Bloomsday to listen to readings of James Joyce's works. Shane MacThomais says that there may be some truth in the case that it might be the most bought book but the least read. People sometimes fear reading the book but if they persevere, they will find a book that is incredibly rewarding.
The top list of books was chosen by the classic literature publishers Random House in the United States. Two other works by James Joyce also featured in the top 100 'Portrait of the Artist as a young man' (1916) at number three and 'Finnegans Wake' (1939) at 77.
Mr Joyce would be well pleased.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 21 July 1998. The reporter is Colm Connolly.
