Has anyone read it past the beginning? If so, any tips on how to read it? Anything in particular I could read beforehand which might prepare me?

Fuck James Joyce... Overrated as hell and boring as hell as well.

Well they say this particular book is only as boring as the reader is stupid.

I'll stick to Dr. Seuss.

iv only read the dubliners.i trhought that was a good book.i havent heard anything about finnegans wake so i cant help you there.

While I have not read Finnegans Wake, I have read A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man and most of Ulysses. Actually, not only did I read them, I took a class over it. It was the worst 16 weeks of my life.

Until you have even attempted to read his books, don't try to talk like you are on my level, kid.

Have a solid background in the bible, as literature, and a good grounding in western classics. Putting some time into studying the culture that surrounded Joyce's Europe.

dumb.fuck.

You gotta bring everything you can to this book. I read it in a small-group of people and it helped because each person would see something that the others didn't. And to echo Euda, know the important biblical figures and events and also Irish events and myths.

Thanks all.
I've been thinking of reading the bible for a while, been putting it off but if it helps with this I might be motivated.

Yes, brush up on your Bibly knowledge and to get into the whole Joyce vibe, I'd say read Portrait of the Artist. I think it's really good for getting yourself used to his style. I didn't actually enjoy either books, Portrait or Finnegan's Wake, but I've had to read them for school and it helps to just immerse yourself entirely in his life, Ireland, the essays about him and his writings... it just makes it easier than to suddenly pick up the text and try to get it right away.