The Cambridge Introduction to Marcel Proust

Abstract

Proust's A la recherche du temps perdu (In Search of Lost Time, 1913–27) changed the course of modern narrative fiction. This Introduction provides an account of Proust's life, the socio-historical and cultural contexts of his work and an assessment of his early works. At its core is a volume-by-volume study of In Search of Lost Time, which attends to its remarkable superstructure, as well as to individual images and the intricacies of Proust's finely-stitched prose. The book reaches beyond stale commonplaces of madeleines and memory, alerting readers to Proust's verbal virtuosity, his preoccupations with the fleeting and the unforeseeable, with desire, jealousy and the nature of reality. Lively, informative chapters on Proust criticism and the work's afterlives in contemporary culture provide a multitude of paths to follow. The book charges readers with the energy and confidence to move beyond anecdote and hearsay and to read Proust's novel for themselves.

Chemophobia and passion: why chemists should desire Marcel Proust

“…However, there is a fundamental difference between the reality of Proust’s book and its public perception, which was more of a romantic view, influenced by the iconic symbol of the book, a reminiscence of the past evoked by the aroma of linden tea and the taste of madeleine cake with nuts and lemon zest. Unsurprisingly, as a result, for a long time, the scientific bent of Proust has tended to be overlooked [ 58 ]. Or as Watt [ 59 ] so aptly put it, “perhaps disappointingly” for many, “the developments of modern technology also have important roles to play in the unfolding of the themes of time, space, memory and identity” and “teach the Narrator [of the novel] valuable lessons.”…”

“…Unsurprisingly, as a result, for a long time, the scientific bent of Proust has tended to be overlooked [ 58 ]. Or as Watt [ 59 ] so aptly put it, “perhaps disappointingly” for many, “the developments of modern technology also have important roles to play in the unfolding of the themes of time, space, memory and identity” and “teach the Narrator [of the novel] valuable lessons.”…”