Finnegans Wake Penguin 1982

About the
Finnegans Wake Society of New York
and the
Wake Watchers

We're a very close-reading group, discussing a page each meeting, possibly a bit more in more plain-written sections. Our method is to read short sections of the text aloud and then discuss them extensively, interpreting individual words and tracking down allusions, following the interests of our diverse members and resources such as the excellent FWEET web site and other sources, many included in our Help List of Books.

Since the pandemic we've met monthly or twice a month online, and hope to reintroduce some in-person meetings soon.

In the beginning we met at the late Gotham Book Mart on West 47th Street, following it to the east side for a few years before it closed and we had a series of private and public meeting places. Here's a brief history of the founding of the Finnegans Wake Society of New York, written by the former president of the James Joyce Society of New York, Nicholas Fargnoli.

Some members have been in the group for decades, and are Joyce experts, either as independent or affiliated scholars, and newcomers are always welcome. No prior Wake experience necessary! Please come for lots of fun at Finnegans Wake.