Well, for better or worse, I have decided that I am going to continue my sideline reading and accept the fact that it may be coloring my perceptions a bit; but in the end, I find that reading about Proust, as I am reading Proust is proving very interesting and satisfying.
It provides a base for comparison, as the book, although autobiographical in nature, is not a true autobiography but more of piecing together of a life, both recalled and imagined.
I am now also reading William C. Carter's Proust in Love, which is a fascinating and thorough examination of his romantic and sexual life as a gay man in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and how he portrays this in the Search. Look for discussions on this topic in the near future.
As for my reading, I am now zipping along at around 2-4 pages a day, and am finding his introduction of M. Swann very intriguing. It has already been hinted that the Narrator's family, although apparently very fond of M. Swann, find some things about him unsatisfactory, such as his marriage to a woman of "bad society;" they cannot seem to believe that his true connections in life are actually above their own; there have only been some hints about this so far, but I am sure it is going to be an interesting development, and I am looking forward to seeing how it plays out.
À bientôt,
Michel
Note of Caution: although any comments are welcome, this blog is not intended to be a serious academic discussion of Proust!! Évidemment!! It is meant to be a playground of sorts, where having fun is de rigeur! And where accidents are bound to happen...
What it's all about
Welcome to my blog!! Join me on a 365-day journey of discovery and "re-discovery" as I take up the monumental challenge of reading one of the greatest pieces of literature ever written, and in French!!
The idea was spurred by Julie Powell's "Julie & Julia" and my somewhat crazy idea to supplement my Rosetta Stone French lessons by reading Proust's "In Search..." in the original French.
Several people have looked askance (perhaps also entertaining the idea of getting me one of those nice white jackets with the sleeves that tie in back...) and said, "You've NO idea of what you're getting yourself into."
Well! Let me say that if you know exactly what you're getting into then you're NOT having an adventure. And I mean to have a GREAT adventure!!
I've absolutely no idea where this will lead, but then again, that's really the idea, isn't it?
If you've ever thought about reading this amazing work, but been intimidated by its sheer gargantuan proportions, then by all means, please join me and perhaps you'll learn a bit along the way about the fascinating man that Proust was, the times in which he lived, and perhaps find your own inspiration to pick it up anew and dive in!!
Bienvenue à m'aventure! Allons-y!!
The idea was spurred by Julie Powell's "Julie & Julia" and my somewhat crazy idea to supplement my Rosetta Stone French lessons by reading Proust's "In Search..." in the original French.
Several people have looked askance (perhaps also entertaining the idea of getting me one of those nice white jackets with the sleeves that tie in back...) and said, "You've NO idea of what you're getting yourself into."
Well! Let me say that if you know exactly what you're getting into then you're NOT having an adventure. And I mean to have a GREAT adventure!!
I've absolutely no idea where this will lead, but then again, that's really the idea, isn't it?
If you've ever thought about reading this amazing work, but been intimidated by its sheer gargantuan proportions, then by all means, please join me and perhaps you'll learn a bit along the way about the fascinating man that Proust was, the times in which he lived, and perhaps find your own inspiration to pick it up anew and dive in!!
Bienvenue à m'aventure! Allons-y!!
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