Remembrance of Things Past (Vol 1-2) (Marcel Proust)

Another famous work that I haven't previously had (or taken) the opportunity to read. I understand that a better translation of the title would be "In Search of Lost Time." It's about memory. I'm reading the French Pleiade edition translated by C.K. Scott Moncrieff and Terence Kilmartin.

The book generally prints at around 3,200 pages, I understand. It was written by Proust over numerous years in seven volumes. The translation that I'm reading placed the first two volumes in one book that runs 1,030 pages. So this seems like a good point at which to take a breather. I've now made my way through Volumes 1-2: "Swann's Way" and "Within a Budding Grove."

Proust is an interesting character in his own right, you can read about him here.

I don't know quite how to describe his writing style. Some elements - 1) he goes into long descriptions of virtually everything he encounters; 2) he goes into rhapsodies over things he appreciates or in which he finds beauty (hawthorn); 3) he has an incredible knack for observing - and describing - human nature; 4) it makes you think about how much of each person's world is tied up in the person's unique perception of what he or she is experiencing (recognizing this is also a hoary philosophical problem).

I'm hoping that the reader can learn something about human nature, especially my own, and a thing or two about slowing down and appreciating the beauty around me. Proust is quite good at this, though I don't think it's his primary intention.

Swann's Way includes the famous scene where the narrator bites into a madeleine (a trigger for memory).

I'm noticing now that Proust is referred to constantly in other literature (not to mention "Little Miss Sunshine"), including a book of Iowa reminiscing that I'm reading right now.

Swann's Way: life at Combray (long walks; elderly relatives; the author's room and goodnight to mother); Swann's relationship with Odette; Vanteuil (the sonata; his wretched daughter); the Verdurins (social climbers; also associated with Odette; gatherings of "the faithful"); Gilberte (Swann's daughter; first love).

Within a Budding Grove: staying at Balbec with grandmother; the "little band" (including Albertine); Elstir (the artist); relationship with Saint-Loup.

The timeline of the story moves back and forth, with different characters appearing in different stages.

I definitely want to own a copy of this book, it should not be missed. More to come.