Reading Groups
Finnegans Wake has been read in groups since its publication. The text rewards—and almost requires—communal reading.
Why Join a Reading Group?
- Multiple perspectives catch allusions you'd miss alone
- Accountability keeps you reading
- Discussion deepens understanding
- Community makes the experience enjoyable
- Tradition — Wake reading groups have existed since 1939
Online Reading Groups
James Joyce Society Reading Group
joycesociety.com/readinggroups
The James Joyce Society's reading group currently resides online via Zoom. Meetings involve close reading and discussion of a single page. Newcomers welcome with no experience necessary.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Format | One page per session |
| Platform | Zoom (sign up on website for link) |
| Experience | None required |
Modernist Studies Ireland FW Reading Group
moderniststudiesireland.org/fw-reading-group
Free, biweekly Zoom meetings open to all, with participants from six or more time zones.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Schedule | Every second Tuesday |
| Time | 4-6 PM Irish Time (GMT) |
| Format | Two hours per session |
| Requirement | None (no homework required) |
| Leaders | Casey Lawrence (TCD), Tiana Fischer (NUI Galway) |
| Started | July 2020 |
Best For: Newcomers; anyone wanting free, accessible, expert-led discussion.
Reddit r/FinnegansWake Reading Group (2026)
The Finnegans Wake reading group for 2026 on Reddit has begun. Part of Bobby Campbell's Maybe Night initiative, it's ideal for those who've never tried a reading group or don't have one nearby.
Features:
- Discussion threads for each section
- Question and answer
- Resource sharing
- Asynchronous participation possible
Best For: First-time reading group participants; flexible schedules; online community.
The Winter Wakeans
Billed as "the world's slowest Finnegans Wake reading group," the Winter Wakeans read four pages each winter, from 2026 to 2234. Yes, that's a 208-year reading plan.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Pace | 4 pages per year |
| Duration | 2026-2234 |
| Meetings | Each winter solstice |
| Origin | Maybe Night 2025 |
Best For: Those who appreciate absurdist commitment to Joyce's spirit; long-term community.
For faster pace, the site also hosts an "FW 2026 Readalong."
McLuhan-Finnegans Wake Reading Club
Long-running Zoom group originally based in Venice, CA, with worldwide participation.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Schedule | First Tuesday monthly |
| Time | 6-8 PM Pacific |
| Pace | One page per meeting |
| Started | October 1995 |
Best For: Very deep reading; McLuhan connections; Robert Anton Wilson community.
Goodreads James Joyce Reading Group
Discussion forums for Wake readers, including threads for first-time readers.
Best For: Asynchronous discussion; book tracking; finding reading partners.
In-Person Reading Groups
Directory
finneganswake.org/ReadingGroups.shtml
The FinnegansWake.org directory lists local groups meeting in actual or virtual space worldwide.
Notable Groups
Austin, TX Reading Group
Featured in KUT Radio (2025): This group has been reading the book for 12+ years, one page at a time. Now meets online.
Boston/Thirsty Scholars
The Thirsty Scholars meet weekly in Boston, MA. Meetup group with scheduled events throughout 2025.
University of Glasgow
- Weekly meetings since 2007
- Wednesday mornings
- English Literature department
- Focus on reading aloud and contextual discussion
Washington University (St. Louis)
Ph.D. student Max Carol leads a group that reads the Wake aloud together. Carol has contributed nearly 2,000 annotations to FWEET.
Irish Cultural Centre (UK)
"Reading the Unread Masterpiece" — regular Wake reading events.
James Joyce Society of New York
- joycesociety.com
- Affiliated Wake reading groups
- Historic organization (founded 1947)
Dublin Groups
- Multiple groups in Joyce's home city
- Check Modernist Studies Ireland and James Joyce Centre
Annual Events
Maybe Night (December 21)
Annual winter solstice celebration of Finnegans Wake, organized by Bobby Campbell. The nocturnal equivalent of Bloomsday.
How to participate:
- Create any media (writing, art, music, video) related to the Wake
- Submit to weirdoverse@gmail.com
- Pre-existing works welcome
Features panel discussions, new recordings, and launch of annual reading groups.
Bloomsday Festival (June 11-16)
Dublin's annual Joyce celebration includes Wake-specific events:
- "Finnegans Wakeshop" sessions
- Wake readings and performances
- Roger Doyle's electro-acoustic Wake compositions (2025)
Starting Your Own Group
Format Options
| Format | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| One page/session | Deep; thorough | Slow (years to finish) |
| One chapter/month | Good pace | Less depth |
| Thematic | Focused | Requires planning |
| Audio-first | Accessible | Less annotation time |
Practical Considerations
- Size: 4-10 people works well
- Consistency: Same time, same place
- Preparation: Decide if homework is required
- Leadership: Rotate or designate a facilitator
- Resources: Ensure everyone has the same edition (Viking/Penguin)
Session Structure (Example: 2 hours)
- Reading aloud (30 min) — Take turns reading the assigned pages
- First reactions (15 min) — What struck you?
- Annotation review (30 min) — Check FWEET/McHugh for key passages
- Discussion (30 min) — Themes, connections, questions
- Preview next session (15 min) — What to read; any preparation?
Reading Group Resources
Essential
- Same edition for all members (Viking/Penguin)
- Access to FWEET (fweet.org)
- Audio recordings for listening together
Helpful
- McHugh's Annotations (at least one copy)
- Campbell's Skeleton Key for summaries
- Projection/screen for showing annotations
For Leaders
- Glasheen's Third Census for character tracking
- Prepared questions for each session
- List of key allusions to highlight
The Reading Group Tradition
Groups have been reading the Wake together since 1939:
"The book is more than 400 pages long, and it's not unusual for reading groups to spend a full session dissecting just a page or two. In 2010, one group in Boston celebrated the end of the novel with booze and a ritual chant; the members had been working their way through the book for 13 years."
— Smithsonian Magazine
One group completed the Wake after 28 years—and immediately started again.
This is a living tradition. Join it.
See Also
- First Steps — How reading groups help beginners
- Audio Resources — For group listening
- Reading Strategies — Approaches for group discussion