In Search of Lost Time by Marcel Proust

[Brian E]

I finished the last volume on December 23rd but didn't get around to writing my review until early January. Here are my reviews to the last two of six volumes in the Modern Library which combines the Captive and the Fugitive in one volume.

The Captive / The Fugitive https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Time Regained https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I didn't enjoy the series that much. I gave out four 3 star ratings, one 2 star rating and one 4 star rating. So overall the series rates as 3 stars. However, giving books 3 stars was generous as most bordered between 2 and 3 stars.
I didn't care for the series' characters or for what they talked about, especially the narrator Marcel. Lovely, poetic writing loses a lot of its attractive ability after a few thousand pages of it.
The only book I gave 4 stars to was The Swann Way and mainly because of Swann in Love, the novella within the novel. Swann was a more interesting central character than Marcel. It was also the only one that Brian Nelson, a favorite translator, translated.
In contrast to Proust, I just started my 9th Zola novel after taking a year hiatus for Proust. I'm enjoying it between 4 and 5 stars worth. There are also unlikeable characters but at least they say and do interesting things.

[Nidhi]

I agree, Proust's characters just do nothing, there is no plot to put in a nutshell. I began Zola last year but Proust is taking too much of time. I will be happy to finish the last book.

I had very good experience with Zola, If everything goes as i have planned I will continue series after July, before that I have to tackle The Magic Mountain by Mann.

[Piyangie, Classical Princess]

Finished Time Regained. Finally, I'm done with In Search of Lost Time. Woohoo! Feeling both accomplished and relieved! 😀

[Melanie]

Nidhi wrote: "I agree, Proust's characters just do nothing, there is no plot to put in a nutshell. I began Zola last year but Proust is taking too much of time. I will be happy to finish the last book.

I had v..."

Hi Nidhi, I’ll be right there with you with Zola. I’ve read The Ladies' Paradise and I want to start at the beginning of the series.

[Nidhi]

I too have read The Ladies Paradise, loved the scene of mall , all decorated in white,in last section of the book, I was impressed by Zola's power of description.

[Nidhi]

Then I read the first book of the Rougon-Macquart series, it impressed me with strong characterization.

[Nidhi]

Congratulations Piyangie!!! Now you can proudly state that you have read Proust.

[Piyangie, Classical Princess]

Thanks, Nidhi! That, I can. 😀

[Piyangie, Classical Princess]

Since Emile Zola is discussed here, perhaps a buddy read could be set up for next year for the Rougon-Macquart series. Just thinking out loud. :) I have only read one in the series and planning to read Ladies's Paradise this year.

Btw, I'm unable to find the archived thread of Zola. I remember that we read him some time ago. Brian made some recommendations there, and now I can't find the thread. :(

[Rosemarie, Northern Roaming Scholar]

Archives in Translation, January 2022 is where you'll find Zola, Piyangie.

[Piyangie, Classical Princess]

Of course, he'd be in the translations! What on earth I was thinking? I was looking for him in author/genre archives. :) Thanks, Rosemarie.

[Nidhi]

It will be great Piyangie, to have a common thread for works of Zola. As with Proust, it will be a great motivation to continue with the series. We can count on Rosmarie for making an appearance sometimes, she is a Zola fan and has read all his books. And Brian too, who is way too ahead of us.

[Lesle, Appalachain Bibliophile]

Congratulations Piyangie and Brian E a huge accomplishment!!

I had read several reviews of his characters lack of luster.

I will move the Archived thread of Zola back into the Buddy Read secton.

[Nidhi]

Thanks Lesle.

[Piyangie, Classical Princess]

Lesle wrote: "Congratulations Piyangie and Brian E a huge accomplishment!!

I had read several reviews of his characters lack of luster.

I will move the Archived thread of Zola back into the Buddy Read secton."

Thanks, Lesle.

[Rosemarie, Northern Roaming Scholar]

Way to go, Brian and Lesle!

[Lesle, Appalachain Bibliophile]

Piyangie and Nidhi
Your more than welcome!