Reading of ‘Ulysses’ Climaxes Tonight at Georgetown Public Library

In honor of Bloomsday, an annual celebration of James Joyce’s “Ulysses,” Georgetown Public Library has been hosting a reading marathon of the novel. The readings began June 9, and tonight will mark the finale of reading the book at the library on R Street.

Bloomsday is celebrated June 16 because it is the anniversary of Joyce’s first date with his wife, Nora Barnacle and also the day that the plot of the novel is based upon.
The innovative novel, filled with literary devices, is a timely account of Leopold Bloom’s day in Dublin in 1904. The sometimes difficult to fathom “Ulysses” is considered to be one of the greatest novels of all time.

Herb Guggenheim, a local writer and psychotherapist, has assembled 30 actors and scholars who will alternate in reading the Ulysses aloud to the audience. Tonight, Laura Baxtor, a well-known opera singer will read the last chapter.

“We are thrilled to feature Laura Baxter as Molly Bloom in this year’s reading. At the end of ‘Ulysses,’ Molly Bloom’s soliloquy is the most dramatic part of the book, and Laura Baxter is the perfect performer to bring Molly to life.” Guggenheim wrote of the event on his website.

In addition, an evening seminar on James Joyce and “Ulysses” by Collin Owens, a professor emeritus at George Mason University, is scheduled Monday night at S. Dilion Ripley Center (1100 Jefferson Dr., SW) from 6:45 p.m. to 8:45 p.m. Owens will offer his personal insight by discussing the distinctive literary language presented in the novel.