(1882 - 1941) Irish-born author who spent most of his adult life in France. He developed to its greatest extreme the "stream of consciousness" style of writing which uses such devices as characters speaking to themselves, free association (any process of mental association in which spontaneous or nonlogical linking takes place) and lists of words. Although Ulysses (one of Joyce's best-known novels) is praised for its vivid characterization and breadth of humor, itscomplexstream of consciousnesstechnique and remote symbology make it difficult for the average reader to understand. Its sequel, Finnegan's Wake, is even more obscure, often to the point of becoming nearly indecipherable. —State of ManCongress Approved Gls (14.5.92)