In Search of Lost Time by Marcel Proust

[John]

I think I'll struggle to finish Swann's Way by the end of January - I think our initial target of two months per volume is going to be more realistic for me.

It's largely because I'm dwelling so long over some of the passages, and sometimes laying the book down so that I can think about what I've read.

.......and aren't the Verdurins awful??

[John]

I suspect most of us are hoping to finish Swann's Way by mid-February, so I'll wait another week or so before posting some details about Within a Budding Grove (although I must admit to liking the alternative translation of the title - In the Shadow of Young Girls in Flower.)

[Chad]

It’s definitely something that I need to read in small spurts. That’s fine for me as I always read a number of things at the same time. I’m never in the mood for one particular thing at any given time. I find it refreshing to read 10 pages of this and 10 pages of that and then 10 pages of something else after dinner.

[Mike]

Yep, and of Feb is my aim. The title of my second volume is In the Shadow of Young Girls in Flower.

[Nidhi]

I will try to catch up with you for With in a Budding Grove reading by mid -Feb. I started late with Swann's Way.

[Lorraine]

I have finished 'Du côté de chez Swann' and have to say that this time it was a 5 stars for me. I loved the long sentences and the way he writes about things. Now to number 2!

[John]

Chad wrote: "It’s definitely something that I need to read in small spurts. That’s fine for me as I always read a number of things at the same time. I’m never in the mood for one particular thing at any given t..."

I know what you mean Chad, as that's exactly what I do, and I'll frequently be reading half-a-dozen books at the same time. I was beginning to worry that this was a symptom of reduced attention span brought on by advancing years/too much time on technology. So you've reassured me (unless you're also suffering from reduced attention span brought on by advancing years/too much time on technology???) :-)

[John]

Lorraine wrote: "I have finished 'Du côté de chez Swann' and have to say that this time it was a 5 stars for me. I loved the long sentences and the way he writes about things. Now to number 2!"

Well done, Lorraine - and I hope you enjoy volume 2.

[John]

Nidhi wrote: "I will try to catch up with you for With in a Budding Grove reading by mid -Feb. I started late with Swann's Way."

No problem, Nidhi - this isn't a book to be rushed!

[Doris]

I'm also lagging a little here. I prefaced my reading of Proust with How Proust Can Change Your Life to give me a hint of what to expect, so I'm just now getting started with Swann's Way.

[John]

Doris wrote: "I'm also lagging a little here. I prefaced my reading of Proust with How Proust Can Change Your Life to give me a hint of what to expect, so I'm just now getting started with Swann's Way."

No problem Doris, and to mis-quote a cliche - this is a long, winding amble rather than a sprint.

[Liane]

I've made good progress, more than midway through Swann in Love. Still appreciate Proust's prose in its extreme description. But ugh, the Verdurins and their entire circle, along with Odette...all of them are so insincere. Though Swann is little better in his peculiar love, which seems more like possessiveness than real love.

[Mike]

This long quote (but it's only 3 sentences!) resonated with my own reading of Proust though the narrator is discussing reading Bergotte. I am enjoying reading this quite a lot but at a much slower pace than I would normally read a book. I find I have to re-read the last paragraph I read to get back into the flow but soon find the melody again.

(view spoiler)[

In the first few days, like a melody one will become infatuated with but that one cannot yet make out, what I was to love so much in his style was not apparent to me. I could not put down the novel I was by him, but thought I was interested only in the subject, as in that first period of love when you go to meet a woman every day at some gathering, some entertainment, thinking you are drawn to it by its pleasures. Then I noticed the rare, almost archaic expressions he liked to use at certain moments, when a hidden wave of harmony, an inner prelude, would heighten his style; and it was also at these moments that he would speak of the 'vain dream of life', the 'inexhaustible torrent of beautiful appearances', the 'moving effigies that for ever ennoble the venerable and charming facades of our cathedrals', that he expressed an entire philosophy, new to me, through marvellous images which seemed themselves to have awakened this harp-song which then arose and to whose accompaniment they gave a sublime quality.

(hide spoiler)]

[Julietta]

Much admiration for those of you who are still reading Proust!

[Cosmic]

Mike wrote: "This long quote (but it's only 3 sentences!) resonated with my own reading of Proust though the narrator is discussing reading Bergotte. I am enjoying reading this quite a lot but at a much slower ..."

Very true to what I remember of the book. It was like finding pebbles of meaning strewn along the way.

[Liane]

I finished Swann’s way this week. I’m listening to far more than I read, though I do both. I have found that I feel the lyricism of his prose when listening more than when I read the words.

I do feel as though the story has barely begun, despite 450+ pages!! At this rate, I worry that it’ll get to the meat of the story in the 3rd or 4th book!

[John]

Well done, Liane - I'm still hoping to finish Swann's Way by the end of February.

[Nidhi]

Liane wrote: "I finished Swann’s way this week. I’m listening to far more than I read, though I do both. I have found that I feel the lyricism of his prose when listening more than when I read the words.

I do ..."

Which was your favorite scene Liane?
Mine are the Hawthorn scene and the woman looking out of the window in wilderness. I used to wonder at the cover of my copy that shows a beautiful flower, then i read the Hawthorn Scene.

[Liane]

Well, I can't find my notes, of course, but I particularly enjoyed the boy's angst over his goodnight kisses from his mother. So poignant as it reminded me of my younger son and his goodnight preferences. The walks along Swann's Way/among the hawthorns was also very resonant for me. This reminded me of my own country upbringing with walks by our stream among our lilacs and willows.

I found the Odette/Swann relationship and her circle of friends insightful but irritating - so much jealousy and falseness.

[Nidhi]

I too found the relationship irritating but that is human nature. Its true that most of scenes resonate with our experiences, like the impact church steeple in Proust childhood, I feel same way for a small bridge in my village, wherever I see one, memories rush on me. Same goes for the smell of smoke from hearth.

[Liane]

Afterward I was struck with how appropriate the title “Remembrances of Things Past” is. Perhaps this resonance with each reader’s history is why this book has stood the test of time.

[Chris]

About to finish Swann’s Way this week with a read/listen hybrid; I’m enjoying both- I was uncertain how this would be as an audiobook but I really like listening to it as well. I’ve been through it once before and I am enjoying it at least as much this time around. This seems like a book to read at various times in your life and it will hit a little different but not less relevant each time.

[Piyangie, Classical Princess]

I also think the novel's main attraction is its ability to resonate with the reader's history. It indeed took me down on my memory lane through various related incidents.

[Mike]

I picked up Paintings in Proust: A Visual Companion to In Search of Lost Time by Eric Karpeles, as recommended by Danada. I had been looking up the occasional painting online but it's much easier, and nicer, having a physical collection next to me as I read. Only downside is I get distracted and thumb through the art!

[Piyangie, Classical Princess]

Has anyone started Within a Budding Grove (In the Shadow of Young Girls in Flower: Within A Budding Grove)?

[Lorraine]

Piyangie wrote: "Has anyone started Within a Budding Grove (In the Shadow of Young Girls in Flower: Within A Budding Grove)?"

Yes Piyangie. I have read the first part of the book. Now reading part two. Have you?

[Piyangie, Classical Princess]

Just finished the first part, Lorraine. I'm enjoying it very much. The only problem is that I can't read as fast as I wish, for often I tend to reread some parts because of the beauty of the words. :)

[Lorraine]

For me, I am liking the second part better (well... for now). It might be because the person reading this book sound so snob, it is disturbing, and in my opinion, that kind of voice doesn't fit the age of the character. Also, the (view spoiler)[ teenager thoughts and actions, gets on my nerves! I am getting too old! 😊 It is my third time reading this book and I must say my reaction to part one was the same both times. But I am finding the second part much better. Maybe I am more sensitive to the poesy of his writing. (hide spoiler)]. I also reread some sentences and writes them in a notebook. Also because of their beauty.

[Liane]

I started “Within a Budding Grove”, but have been distracted with other commitments and not gotten far. Maybe this week I will have more time…

[Piyangie, Classical Princess]

Lorraine wrote: "it is disturbing, and in my opinion, that kind of voice doesn't fit the age of the character..."

It struck me as well, Lorraine. The voice sounded mature for the character. I guess it's because it was written by the grown-up self of that child character about the memories of the past. The thoughts of a mature mind are spoken through the mouth of a child. That is at least how I interpreted it. :)

[John]

Its great to see that a number of you are already on the second book, and enjoying it.

I'm falling behind at the moment due to a lot of reading for an online course. I'm just over half-way at the moment so should be able to start catching-up by early-April.

[Danada]

I’m only almost one third done with Swann’s Way. We have been dealing with emergency and then ongoing health issues with one of our fur kids. Luckily he seems to be better (long term special diet and careful watching, but otherwise good!). As you can imagine, exhaustion and brain fog have been constant companions for the entire month of February. My brain wasn’t able to focus on Proust at all. But I’ve started reading it again this month and enjoying it even more. He is like a painter, he paints a scene with words but you can practically see the countryside.

I’m also enjoying the visual companion to Proust as I read!

[Gilbert]

Just finished "Swann's Way", and expect to start volume two, "Within a Budding Grove", shortly.

[John]

Danada wrote: "I’m only almost one third done with Swann’s Way. We have been dealing with emergency and then ongoing health issues with one of our fur kids. Luckily he seems to be better (long term special diet a..."

Sorry to hear about your child, Danada - sounds stressful, including the special diet and careful watching.

I think with Proust, taking your time and savouring it is the best approach...And I like the image of him as a painter with words.

[John]

Gilbert wrote: "Just finished "Swann's Way", and expect to start volume two, "Within a Budding Grove", shortly."

Well done, Gilbert. I read an interview with broadcaster and writer Melvyn Bragg at the weekend, where he said he was still ashamed not to have finished Proust, although he's had about seven goes. Hopefully all of us on this thread will be able to succeed where he has so far failed!

[Liane]

I started reading “How Proust can change your life” by Alain de Botton as a companion. I am only on page 24, but I have to agree with the idea that the reader is inserting his self and acquaintances into each book. I know I definitely was in Swann’s Way, when I could clearly envision my younger son at bedtime in the young narrator’s antics and agonies.

[Lorraine]

I've just finished reading book 2: 'À l'ombre des jeunes filles en fleurs'. I have to say that this reading was better than the first ones. Probably because I am getting used to his style of writing and that I can now spend more time reflecting on the poetry of it. I liked many of the sentences and noted a few. I will try to share a few in the next few days.
I hope to start ‘Le côté de Guermantes’ in April as I am leaving on vacation for all of May and cannot bring too many paper books with me (can we call it vacation when retired? 😊). My edition of has 2 books so I hope to be able to go through the first one in April.
For now, I have no regrets of reading Proust again! On the contrary.

[Piyangie, Classical Princess]

I just realised that In the Shadow of Young Girls in Flowers which is the direct translation of À l'ombre des jeunes filles en fleurs is the best title to this book rather than Within a Budding Grove. :)

I finished the second part and now onto the third and final part. Like Lorraine, I enjoy the poetic beauty of his writing. To me, that is the major attraction.

[Piyangie, Classical Princess]

I finished reading Within a Budding Grove. What I enjoyed the most is the poetry of Proust's writing, more than the 'story' narrated. The best part for me was the first part where the narrator expresses his emotions. It was the most powerful of all.

[Gilbert]

I've finished Within a Budding Grove.
I suppose the narrator wants us to follow his adventures in dating which is more modern than so many previous novels I've read.

Well, on to The Guermantes Way.

[John]

Excellent Gilbert, I hope you enjoy The Guermantes Way.

[Piyangie, Classical Princess]

I'm hoping to start The Guermantes Way late in the month. I'm at present reading Zola's Germinal. Once finished, I'll get on with Proust.

[Lorraine]

I've started it Sunday and found the beginning quite funny!

[Mike]

I finally finished The Way by Swann's on Tuesday and I'm already half way through In the Shadow of Young Girls in Flower. I've been holed up in hospital the last couple of weeks so will write my review once I'm home. Quick version, enjoyed the prose but found A Love of Swann's a bit long and somewhat repetitive.

[John]

Sorry to hear that you've been in hospital, Mike - never a pleasant experience no matter how dedicated the staff; I hope you're feeling better and on the road to recovery.

Sounds like you're making great progress on the second book anyway!

[Mike]

Thanks John, a little over a hundred pages left. I'll have to get someone to bring me volume three.

[John]

Great idea, Mike - and it will be a change from visitors who bring you grapes and chocolate.......and then sit and eat the lot. (But maybe you could get them to read you some of the book?)

[Mike]

I'm home and finished volume 2, planning to start volume 3 later today. I've written my reviews of The Way by Swann's and In the Shadow of Young Girls in Bloom.

[John]

Mike wrote: "I'm home and finished volume 2, planning to start volume 3 later today. I've written my reviews of The Way by Swann's and In the Shadow of Young Girls in Bloom."

Delighted to hear that you're now home Mike. I hope your recovery continues speedily.

[Lorraine]

Like book 1 and 2, this is my third time reading book 3. In my edition there is 2 volume for Le côté de Guermantes. I am at about 50% of volume 1. Again, I have to say that I surprised myself laughing out loud when Proust write about Françoise or other people character traits. I am surprised because I never thought of Proust being funny! Lets just say that I did not experience that the first two times.