n.b. reading _Finnegans Wake_ out loud is fundamental to the purpose of the book and it's enjoyment as a reader. I find myself laughing regularly and not knowing exactly why; maybe just because of the surrealist nature of the language.

James Joyce actually advised people to read it out loud and there is a nice recording of the man himself reading an exert (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M8kFqiv8Vww).

It also helps to read it in an Irish or Scottish accent!

side note: patiently waiting for all lorem ipsum to be replaced with random bits of finnegans wake :)