James Joyce's private collection goes on display

James Joyce wrote some of the 20th century's most well-known novels

Rarely-seen letters and documents belonging to the famous Irish writer James Joyce have gone on display.

The exhibition, called James Joyce: Enigmas & Puzzles, opened at the University of Reading's Museum of English Rural Life earlier this week.

Joyce's novels Ulysses and Finnegans Wake rank among some of the 20th century's finest works, and are well-known for their complex wordplay, codes and puzzles.

But the Irish writer's personal papers show a "different side to the man behind the pen", the university said.

Guy Baxter, the university's head of archive services, explained: "Letters and documents previously hidden from public view reveal Joyce as a caring father who wrote stories for his children.

"The papers also show Joyce had many friends who were writers and artists."

"His social circle included people from all over Europe, proving he was much more connected to other people than many readers might expect."

Joyce's Ulysses is complex and widely considered to be a masterpiece

The exhibition includes books from the Joyce family library alongside letters, manuscripts, family photos and personal artefacts.

Among the documents displayed are personal solutions Joyce created to keep working despite illness and worsening eyesight.

Unpublished letters from Joyce's patron, Harriet Shaw Weaver, will also be on display.

The Solange and Stephen James Joyce Collection was donated to the University of Reading in 2022 by the author's grandson.

Stephen James Joyce said he had opted to donate the documents to the Berkshire institution because of its collection of works by Samuel Beckett - his grandfather's fellow countryman and great friend.

The exhibition can be found at the Staircase Hall exhibition space at The Museum of English Rural Life, and runs until 9 February 2026.