Marginalia: Odysseys & Oddities - The Hunger Games

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This started as a Buddy Read of Ulysses with friends, and devolved into mania. Here are the notes and ramblings...

Ulysses Episode 8 - Lestrygonians: The Lunch Episode

Men are Gross (Confirmed): This whole chapter is a sensory assault tied closely to men, consumption, and physicality. Bloom finds it revolting. Honestly, same.

The Soap Returns (Yes, Still!): Yep. He still has the lemon soap in his pocket.

Racism & Social Observations: Unfortunately, there’s casual antisemitism and other racist language in this chapter, often voiced by others but sometimes woven into Bloom’s own internalized fears. It’s ugly, and it’s clearly meant to be, no matter the rhyme scheme. Joyce clearly doesn’t sanitize the thoughts of his characters.


Odyssey Book 10: Cannibal Giants and Circe Shenanigans

Men? Still Gross.
Seriously, between the cannibal giants and the endless poor decision-making, I’m once again left asking: how did humanity survive this long?

I accidentally read ahead into the Circe bit and, uh… wow.
Sexual assault vibes, possible ✂️ of a certain appendage, and more magical goddess detours for Odysseus. Meanwhile, Penelope’s still holding it down at home, but sure, let’s keep collecting divine bedpost notches. 🙄

Also, why is everyone always weeping?? You’d think this was a Nicholas Sparks novel at sea.

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