Bloom's Blog 2022 - 5 ~ Joyce Anticipating the Universal Appeal of Ulysses
When Joyce was finished arranging the first print run of Ulysses with Sylvia Beach they both left Joyce’s apartment and headed to the Bal Bullier, a popular dancehall, to celebrate. As they were descending the steps Joyce pointed out the concierge’s son, who was playing on the steps, to Beach and he triumphantly remarked, “One day that boy will be a reader of Ulysses”. Joyce was convinced that Ulysses was destined to be read universally throughout the world - either in the original English or as a translation. He was greatly mistaken in this presumption.