Dave’s Comments (group member since May 24, 2014)

Dave’s comments from the Reading Proust's In Search of Lost Time in 2014 group.

Although I wasn't available to join the initial discussion of the reread, I have some comments to make. I also have some comments to make about the whole novel which I will post over on the "After We Have Regained Time" thread.

Again...hic

Probably not on the JS reread Jonathan. I read a lot abut JS in other books and how Proust used and modified material there for Search. I've also read a good portion of Carter's bio. But if you guys read Proust books I'll probably tag along for the camaraderie, I feel quite a bond with my Proust bro's (and sis Marcelita).

The new group for next year looks like it will be a good one. But I'm glad I'm here and not there.

Its been really great sharing the Proustian experience with you Jonathan. Sorry I haven't been available for the reread. Look forward to staying in touch on Goodreads.

I'm still traveing. I'l probably jump in at the weekend.

Congratulations indeed Ben, you set a very brisk pace. I look forward to hearing your thoughts on the closing section and the whole experience.

Like Jonathan, I read Alain de Botton's Proust book before reading Proust's book.

Looking forward to you joining future discussions. Merry Christmas.

That's fine with me Renato. I'm traveling now and won't be home to January 4th. But I've already read Combray several times and was just planning to respond to others comments.

Good Lord, a woman! Where are the towels!

No Francoise Le Champi for you tonight young man!

I don't see why you can't post your comments while they are on your mind Renato. I'll be the Grinch and provide the spoiler - in the end Proust dies. ;)

Thanks Ben, I didn't know that interesting fact about Jewish Culture. My weak attempt at humor was trying to capture society prejudice not label Gilberte and Saint Loup. Humor does work well on these threads.

Gilberte may definitely not be Jewish, but I see Proust as portraying society's prejudices not based on fact but on gossip, misunderstanding etc. She changed her name when adopted by Forcheville and was quite sensitive to being a Swann any longer. However, her father may be Jewish, her mother a notorious courtesan, and she herself illegitimate, but society can overlook such shortcomings given her great wealth and marriage into the aristocracy. Proust is so wonderfully cynical.

As for Saint Loup's sexuality I can't say. I searched the MLK Translation of Search and found no use of the word Bisexual. No doubt sexual preferences were just as diverse as they are today, (The Marquise de Sade covered about everything in his day) but Proust seems to have kept his sexual zoo fairly limited. I believe a Bisexual is sexually attracted to both sexes. There are a number of characters who are sexually involved with both sexes in Search. But are they involved with both out of preference or to keep up appearances for whatever reason or, as with rent-boys, just in it for the money? I guess each reader can decide for themselves.

Thanks for the encouragement Marcelita. After I posted about the timelines I decided to start organizing what Hints I find to see how much I can sort out. Just for my own amusement. But I'll probably eventually post what I come up with here and maybe the on the Proust Group.

Rather than loosely linking Search events, I now see the the purpose of the timeline as providing the span of time across which the changes occur which the Narrator observes. In my mind that gives it more gravitas. With characters and events in the plot, Proust can be very subtle and casual about significant facts. I believe he discloses the passage of and location in time the same way. Anyway, this little project will keep me occupied.

I also hope the group remains open, It is interesting how much discussion has been generated with a modest sized group.

Librarian? That seems too modest. Keeper of the Royal Proustian Treasure Vault perhaps.

Perhaps Swan in Love will be more fulfilling.

Were they able to capture the comedy?

I no longer have a DVD player so the only opportunity I would have to watch these movies is if they came on cable. How did they handle the interior monologues?

I'm in an January 4 is good for me.

Thanks Marcelita, i have the Genet and Landy books and you've mentioned Mark Caulkins timeline. I've changed my opinion of the significance of the timeline yet again since the October post. My position on the specifics is that Proust was a genius and I am not so I need to try harder to understand details such as the timeline when there is talk of "Proust made a mistake.". All the highlighting I did regarding time and place still convince me these timelines you linked are off. It really doesn't matter but it is something that interests me.

I have been reading the first of that set Marcelita: "Dawn of the Belle Epoque The Paris of Monet, Zola, Bernhardt, Eiffel, Debussy, Clemenceau, and Their Friends"

I'm sure I will get to the second volume, it is quite good. I really like getting the feel for what Paris was like in Proust's time.

You are so great at finding these interesting gems Marcelita. Thanks! I also suspect Baroness Putbus' maid chewed tobacco, but I guess we'll never know.