From School Library Journal
Gr 9 Up-There may still be a need for a beginner's guide to Joyce, if there ever was one, but this book does nothing to fill that supposed void. Offering readers less than they might expect from a Cliffs Notes pamphlet, Startup looks at the writer's life, covers his major works, and glosses quickly over their critical reception and later assessments in fewer than 85 pages. The fact that the author never even mentions Hugh Kenner, possibly Joyce's most intelligent critic, seems not simply an oversight, but a major misstep. Anyone attempting to read Joyce deserves more than quips and snippets that pass for erudition. In its favor, this book does offer a quick and simple explanation of "stream of consciousness" and a brief but somewhat helpful biographical sketch. The illustrations are lively and evoke the underground style of R. Crumb.Herman Sutter, Saint Agnes Academy, Houston, TXCopyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From the Publisher
This handy series from Headway offers brief yet authoritative introductions to the cultural icons of our time. Each book examines the life, the work, and the legends surrounding its subject, and key terms and concepts are highlighted and clearly explained. Additionally, each chapter ends with a review section for easy reference and to help consolidate the reader's understanding of the text.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

This handy series from Headway offers brief yet authoritative introductions to the cultural icons of our time. Each book examines the life, the work, and the legends surrounding its subject, and key terms and concepts are highlighted and clearly explained. Additionally, each chapter ends with a review section for easy reference and to help consolidate the reader's understanding of the text.

FROM THE CRITICS

School Library Journal