James Joyce by Edna O'Brien

Edna O' Brien begins this story through depicting Joyce during his arrogant youth. His lofty courtship of Nora Barnacle, their hectic sexuality, children, wanderings, debt and profligacy, and Joyce's obsession with the city of Dublin are all subjects he would re-render through his words. 

Edna O'Brien does not spare us the anger and isolation of Joyce's later years either, when he felt that the world had turned its back on him. She asks how could it be otherwise for a man who knew that conflict is the source of all creation.