james joyce’s creation of atmosphere in dubliners was sublime!!! there’s something quite restrained about it, but in a way that works - like joyce is more interested in capturing moments of life in dublin than explaining them, letting the reader sit with them instead.

at the same time, some of the stories left me wanting more, which i think is intentional but still a bit frustrating. there’s a sense of incompleteness in places, where things end just as you feel you’re getting deeper into the characters, which mirrors the fleeting and unresolved nature of real life.

i can definitely see why it’s considered a classic - it feels timeless in how it captures paralysis, routine, and small moments of revelation, even if those moments are subtle or uncomfortable. the pacing varies quite a lot between stories too, which probably explains why it took me a while to get through; some are really immediate and engaging, while others are slower and more reflective, and that unevenness almost becomes part of the reading experience itself.

overall though, i really enjoyed it. it feels like one of those books that rewards patience and attention, even if it doesn’t always give you the closure you want. i’m still not entirely sure i’m ready for ulysses though!!