Finnegans Wake Reading Groups

On site: Thursdays, 7-8.30 pm, Zurich James Joyce Foundation, Augustinergasse 9, 8001 Zurich, hosted by Fritz Senn (at present, by Martin Mühlheim).

Online: Tuesdays, 7-8.30 pm, via Zoom, hosted by Dirk Vanderbeke. Information about the group's progress can be found at Tuesdayswake.

Updates about the Thursday group's progress will be given on this site (see posts below). A selection of the collages featuring on this bookmark can be found at Finnegans Wake Collages. 

New readers are always welcome! There is no need to sign up. Simply drop in and bring your own copy of the book, if you have one. 

The Friends of the Zurich James Joyce Foundation sponsor the reading groups so that they can be held free of charge. To contact them or to become a supporting member please email friends@joycefoundation.ch.

Extra Reading on Sunday, 12 April (independent from regular Thursday readings)

An extra reading session will be held on Sun, 12 April chez Fritz Senn. It will be the last one at the Gesundheitszentrum Bachwiesen (Flurstr. 130, 8047 Zurich, room 002, ground floor), since Fritz will be transferred to the nursing home Mattenhof on Tue, 14 April. We are currently making arrangements to continue the Sunday readings at the new place. 

The next Bachwiesen reading will pick up from: “ear to the Willingdone” (9.11). 

New readers are always welcome (no need to sign up). Should a Sunday reading need to be cancelled, this page will be updated as early as possible. Please check before making firm plans. If you have any questions please write to: friends@joycefoundation.ch

Thursday, 2 April 2026 (321.30)

The last reading was hosted by Antonia Fritz at her wonderful literary agency. The group stopped when it had run out of time at: “Zoot!” (321.30)

One favourite passage was:

“he who loves will see.” (321.19)

Thursday, 26 March 2026 (320.32)

The last reading stopped obediently at: “A pause.” (320.32)

One favourite passage was: 

“a noodle in a clouth!” (320.17)

Thursday, 19 March 2026 (319.30)

The last reading stopped at: “Hops! sagd he.” (319.30)

One favourite passage was:

“Time is for talerman tasting his tap.” (319.8)

Thursday, 12 March 2026 (318.31)

The last reading stopped at: “manyoumeant.” (318.31)

One favourite appearance was:

“Ethna Prettyplume” (318.12)

Thursday, 5 March 2026 (318.3)

The last reading stopped at: “her climbing colour.” (318.3) 

One favourite passage was:

“Cloth be laid!” (317.11)

Thursday, 26 February 2026 (317.3)

The last reading stopped mid-sentence at: “tiempor” (317.3)

Thursday, 19 February 2026 (316.10)

The last reading stopped at: “a whistle for methanks.” (316.10)

One favourite passage was:

With thanks to Pascal Ihle for picking a favourite

“The snarsty weg for Publin” (315.23)

Thursday, 12 February 2026 (315.13)

The last reading stopped mid-sentence at: “diluv's own deluge” (315.13)

One favourite passage was:

“Knit wear?” (315.3)

Thursday, 5 February 2026 (314.18)

The last reading stopped at: “La la la lach!” (314.18)

Thursday, 29 January 2026 (313.25)

The last reading stopped at: “mine runbag of juwels” (313.25).

Thursday, 22 January 2026 (312.24)

The last reading stopped mid-sentence at: “niece as a fiddle!” (312.24)

A couple of favourite passages were:

“and, holey bucket, dinned he raign!” (312.11)

“niece as a fiddle!” (312.24)

Thursday, 15 January 2026 (312.1)

The last reading stopped at: “lugger.” (312.1)

One favourite passage was:

With thanks to Gion Cavelty for picking a favourite

“fur whale” (311.33)

Thursday, 8 January 2026 (311.4)

The last reading stopped at: “theygottheres.” (311.4)

One favourite passage was: 

“hummer, enville and cstorrap” (310.19)