June 16th - Bloomsday

“Is it possible for an ordinary person to climb over the area railings of no. 7 Eccles Street, either from the path or from the steps, lower himself from the lower part of the railings till his feet are within 2 or 3 feet of the ground and drop unhurt? I saw it done myself, but by a man of rather athletic build. I require this information in detail in order to determine the wording of a paragraph.”

(letter dated 2nd November 1921.)

I love this letter.  I often quote it when I'm speaking to writers' groups because I think it's important to get small details right. Joyce mapped Dublin with exactitude.  He walked the line between the truth of the imagination and grace of accuracy.