[.uk] The Works of James Joyce (Wordsworth Poetry Library) (ISBN 185326427X)

Musing Music:
James Joyces lesser known poetry is interesting when comparing his literary works of Finnegans Wake and Portrait of a Young Man. This book has 3 sets of poems, the first is called "Chamber Music." Its made up of 36 short poems in which Joyce shows love gained and love lost. I particularly enjoyed this series because each poem is either of the lady or man speaking in a musical tone, alternately, page by page. Later after these were published a few musicians put them to actual music which apparently made Joyce quite happy. The second set, titled "Pomes Penyeach," are appearingly random, although they seem to go together in a strange way when you read them. The last poem, titled "Ecce Puer" about the birth of his grandson and the death of his father. Very moving how in a few words Joyce gives out his feelings of happyness, sadness and somewhat resentment. Simple describes best this set of poems that Joyce collected in his early years of writing, which Chamber Music is the first work of Joyce to actually appear in print. Certainly a good addition to any Joyce lover as well as one who love poetry.