Well, all I can conclude is that old Joyce didn't much care for his readers. The whole experience hurt my head and made Ulysees seem like Janet and John.
Finnegans Wake is far from incoherent, but there is no denying it is difficult.It relies on multple punning (in several languages.) It is funny though. A good hint isto try reading it aloud in a Dublin accent. The Anna LiviaPluabelle passage is relatively easy.