It has been called blasphemous, obscene, unreadable—and a masterpiece of modernist literature. Try telling that to the many Philadelphians who queued up at the Rosenbach Museum on Delancey Street on Friday to read—and in some cases, act—James Joyce’s "Ulysses." Now, those people love this stream of consciousness classic about a normal day in Dublin experienced by two very different men: Stephen Dedalus and Leopold Bloom.

The date is June 16, 1904. And in recent years, on the anniversary of what’s become one of literature’s most famous days, "Ulysses" lovers around the world celebrate “Bloomsday” with readings, festivals, and the occasional pub crawl.

Why the hoopla over a book an American judge once called “emetic?” To find out, we asked Lenni Steiner, who has been chairperson of the annual Bloomsday Event at the Rosenbach (now in its 15th year) since ... well, she doesn’t remember.

How often have you read the book?

I've read "Ulysses" six or seven times. I had always wanted to read the book, but my several attempts over many years (on my own, with a group of friends, etc.) were never successful. A few years ago (eight or nine, I guess) I was talking to a friend and mentioned that reading the book was something I'd always wanted to do, but hadn't. He told me about the course at the Rosenbach, sent me some info, and I signed up. At the time, Vicki Mahaffey (from Penn) was teaching the class. I found the reading to be very frustrating, even with Vicki's superb guidance (I call her my Virgil). The references to Irish history, the Catholic church, current events, historical events, the multi-linguality, the often dense and seemingly impenetrable stylistic devices made it hard going for me (and I consider myself to be an educated person and reader), and I often felt a lot of animosity towards Joyce. But I sensed a greatness in the work, and my heart had been touched, by Bloom and by the beauty and poetry of the language. I also thought much of it was very funny.

So you persevered?

I decided to do it again the next year (with my daughter, who was then in her mid-twenties). We both loved it, and Becky, who initially disliked Bloom because of his fondness for innards (she's a vegetarian) ended up with the same feeling of fondness and closeness for him that I had. Somewhere along the line, I became the chairperson of Bloomsday, which I still am, and that drew me in even more. One year, I decided I needed a break from reading the book, but I missed it, so the following fall I was back in the class. Each time I read it I enjoy it more, see more in it, and learn more.

Many people say that "Ulysses" has change their lives. How has it influenced you?

The book has made me see life in a different way ( and, coincidentally, to read books in a different way, i.e., without an agenda). We are all outsiders, in one way or another, and "Ulysses" is about a quintessential outsider, but one who chooses life and love in spite of that, and in the face of prejudice and scorn. It has taught me not to judge people, and to try not to let my own little circumscribed world become the center of the universe.

Joyce has made me love words— the sight, the sound, the multiple meanings and associations; the power that they have without our even knowing it, often. I think about or somehow reference "Ulysses" every day.

Did you miss the readings? No problem. You can visit the Rosenbach anytime to see excerpts from the Ulysses manuscript; selections are always on display in the museum's highlights gallery. And sign up for the museum's Ulysses reading group. Also:

• View a WHYY webcast video documenting the event
• Support the Rosenbach's Bloomsday observance