A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man

James Joyce's first novel follows the life of Stephen Dedalus, an artistic and fiercely individual young man. Along the way, Stephen learns to negotiate the 'snares of the world', to avoid the pitfalls of his dysfunctional family, his terrifying and repressive boarding school, and the various beautiful young ladies who capture his heart. A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man is an unforgettable depiction of childhood and adolescence, as well as a lyrical evocation of life in Ireland over a century ago. It shocked readers on its publication in 1916 and it is now regarded as one of the most significant literary works of the twentieth century.