I always thought it ludicrous, even given the era in which it was published, that Ulysses was banned in places and on trial for obscenity. "Look at Joyce, look at those glasses, he is probably the furthest thing from an indecent pervert that you can find!" I thought, considering him to be a meek-looking, probably inoffensive individual.

Then I discovered some of his love letters to his wife, Nora Barnacle. I have seen lots of things in this age of the internet, but I blushed and read them twice in disbelief. Made me respect him even more as a human and writer for some reason...don't know what that says about me.