Ulysses Reading Group

The Ulysses readings with Fritz Senn are held on Thursdays 5-6 pm at the Zurich James Joyce Foundation, Augustinergasse 9, 8001 Zurich. 

Updates about the group's progress are given on this site (see below). 

New readers are always welcome! There is no need to sign up. Simply drop in with your own copy of the book, if you have one. 

The reading groups are sponsored by the Friends of the Foundation so that they can be held free of charge. To contact the Friends or become a supporting member please email friends@joycefoundation.ch.

Thursday, 26 June 2025 (7.614)

The last reading stopped just before the headline “YOU CAN DO IT!” (7.614).

The numbers in 7.614 refer to the place in the text edited by Hans Walter Gabler (7 = chapter number; 614 = line number).

Penguin (1992): p. 171

Thursday, 19 June 2025 (7.326)

The last reading stopped just before the headline “HIS NATIVE DORIC” (7.326).

The numbers in 7.326 refer to the place in the text edited by Hans Walter Gabler (7 = chapter number; 326 = line number).

Penguin (1992): p. 160, second line

Thursday, 12 June 2025 (7.60)

The last reading finished “Hades” and started “Aeolus” (chapter 7), stopping at the two lines from the opera Martha:

Co-ome thou lost one,

Co-ome thou dear one. (7.60)

The numbers in 7.60 refer to the place in the text edited by Hans Walter Gabler (7 = chapter number; 60 = line number)

Penguin (1992): p. 149, last third of the page

Thursday, 5 June 2025 (6.901)

The last reading stopped at “Good Lord, what became of him?” (6.901)

The numbers in 6.901 refer to the place in the text edited by Hans Walter Gabler (6 = chapter number; 901 = line number)

Penguin (1992): p. 142, at ca. one third of the page

Thursday, 22 May 2025 (6.682)

Please note: There will be no reading on Thursday, 29 May (Ascension Day). The next reading will take place on 5 June 2025.

The last reading stopped at: “Troy measure.” (6.682)

The numbers in 6.682 refer to the place in the text edited by Hans Walter Gabler (6 = chapter number; 682 = line number)

Penguin (1992): p. 133, 5 lines from bottom of page

Thursday, 15 May 2025 (6.516)

The last reading stopped at: “Too many in the world.” (6.516)

The numbers in 6.516 refer to the place in the text edited by Hans Walter Gabler (6 = chapter number; 516 = line number)

Penguin (1992): p. 127, end of second paragraph

Thursday, 8 May 2025 (6.288)

The last reading stopped at: “A stifled sigh came from under Mr Power’s hand.” (6.288)

The numbers in 6.288 refer to the place in the text edited by Hans Walter Gabler (6 = chapter number; 288 = line number)

Penguin (1992): p. 118, just after the middle of the page

Thursday, 25 April 2025 (6.53)

Please note: There will be no reading on 1 May 2025 (Labour Day). The next reading will take place on Thursday, 8 May.

The group has now finished reading chapter 5 (“Lotus Eaters”) and started chapter 6 (“Hades”), stopping at: “the wise child that knows her own father” (6.53).

The numbers in 6.53 refer to the place in the text edited by Hans Walter Gabler (6 = chapter number; 53 = line number)

Penguin (1992): p. 109

Thursday, 17 April 2025 (5.385)

The last reading stopped at: “Yes: under the bridge.” (5.385)

The numbers in 5.385 refer to the place in the text edited by Hans Walter Gabler (5 = chapter number; 385 = line number)

Penguin (1992): p. 100, line 20

Thursday, 10 April 2025 (5.219)

Note: The reading on Thu, 17 April 2025 will go ahead as usual.

The last reading stopped at: “Still their neigh can be very irritating.” (5.219)

Thursday, 3 April 2025 (end of chapter 4)

The reading group has reached the end of chapter 4 (“Calypso”), closing with the words: “Poor Dignam!”

Thursday, 27 March 2025 (4.358)

The last reading stopped at: “Nice name he has.” (4.358)

The numbers in 4.358 refer to the place in the text edited by Hans Walter Gabler (4 = chapter number; 358 = line number)

Penguin (1992): p. 78, line 13

Thursday, 21 March 2025 (4.164)

The last reading stopped at: “whack by whack by whack.” (4.164)

The numbers in 4.164 refer to the place in the text edited by Hans Walter Gabler (4 = chapter number; 164 = line number)

Penguin (1992): p. 71, end of first paragraph

Thursday, 13 March 2025 (end chapter 3)

The last reading saw the end of chapter 3 (“Proteus”). 

Thursday, 6 March 2025 (3.389)

The last reading stopped at: “Passing now.” (3.389)

The numbers in 3.389 refer to the place in the text edited by Hans Walter Gabler (3 = chapter number; 389 = line number). 

Thursday, 27 February 2025 (3.238)

The last reading stopped at: “Lascivious people” (3.238)

The numbers in 3.238 refer to the place in the text edited by Hans Walter Gabler (3 = chapter number; 238 = line number).

Thursday, 20 February 2025 (3.78)

The last reading stopped at: “He has washed the upper moiety” (3.78).

The numbers in 3.78 refer to the place in the text edited by Hans Walter Gabler (3 = chapter number; 78 = line number).

Thursday, 13 February 2025 (2.398)

The last reading stopped at Mr Deasy’s quoting of the phrase:

        For Ulster will fight

        And Ulster will be right.

        (2.398)

The numbers in 2.398 refer to the place in the text edited by Hans Walter Gabler (2 = chapter number; 398 = line number).

Thursday, 6 February 2025 (2.172)

The last reading stopped at: “tyrants willing to be dethroned” (2.172)

The numbers in 2.172 refer to the place in the text edited by Hans Walter Gabler (2 = chapter number; 172 = line number).

Thursday, 23 January 2025 (1.665)

The last reading stopped at: 

“Hear, hear! Prolonged applause. Zut! Nom de Dieu!” (1.665)

The numbers in 1.665 refer to the place in the text edited by Hans Walter Gabler (1 = chapter number; 665 = line number).

Thursday, 17 January 2025 (1.423)

The last reading stopped at: “with wondering unsteady eyes.” (1.423)

The numbers in 1.423 refer to the place in the text edited by Hans Walter Gabler (1 = chapter number; 423 = line number.

Thursday, 9 January 2025 (1.176)

A new round of Ulysses readings has begun at the Zurich James Joyce Foundation (Augustinergasse 9, Zurich, 2nd floor). 

The readings are free of charge and suited to both beginners and returners. All you need is a basic knowledge of English and your curiosity. If you have a copy of the book, please take it with you. You can join at any point and come back for as long as you wish.New readers are always welcome. 

The first reading stopped at: “omphalos” (1.176)

The numbers in 1.176 refer to the place in the text edited by Hans Walter Gabler (1 = chapter number; 176 = line number.