As our story begins, James Joyce moves first to Austria then to Paris on the advice of Ezra Pound, taking his young family with him. It is not an entirely happy experience for them …

As publication day draws near the omens don't look good. Joyce has the backing of a publisher, but the word on the street is far from promising …

Joyce waits impatiently for the advance copies to arrive, convinced he will be jinxed if it doesn't get to him on his birthday …

Against all the odds, Ulysses is a success. So begins a period of liberation for his daughters who abandon themselves to dancing and gymnastics …