The last chapter of Book I is devoted to Anna Livia Plurabelle, wife of HCE, and a figuration of the river Liffey. This chapter consists of the gossip of two washerwomen on the banks of the river. “O tell me all about Anna Livia! I want to hear all about Anna Livia. Well, you know Anna Livia? Yes, of course, we all know Anna Livia. Tell me all. Tell me now. You’ll die when you hear. Well, you know, when the old cheb went futt and did what you know. Yes, I know, go on. Wash quit and don’t be dabbling. Tuck up your sleeves and loosen your talktapes. And don’t butt me – hike! – when you bend. Or whatever it was they threed to make out he thried to two in the Fiendish park. He’s an awful old reppe. Look at the shirt of him! Look at the dirt of it! He has all my water black on me.”
Press ‘A’ to listen to an excerpt from the final chapter of Book I… Press ‘B’ to listen to the final section of Finnegans Wake…