Swann's Way

· Otbebookpublishing
Ebook
440
Pages
Eligible
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About this ebook

The Narrator begins by noting, "For a long time, I went to bed early." He comments on the way sleep seems to alter one's surroundings, and the way habit makes one indifferent to them. He remembers being in his room in the family's country home in Combray, while downstairs his parents entertain their friend Charles Swann, an elegant man of Jewish origin with strong ties to society. Due to Swann's visit, the Narrator is deprived of his mother's goodnight kiss, but he gets her to spend the night reading to him. This memory is the only one he has of Combray until years later the taste of a madeleine cake dipped in tea inspires a nostalgic incident of involuntary memory. He remembers having a similar snack as a child with his invalid aunt Leonie, and it leads to more memories of Combray.

About the author

Marcel Proust (1871-1922) remains one of the most influential figures in 20th-century literature, renowned for his profound exploration of memory, time, and human experience. Born into an affluent Parisian family, Proust's delicate health and introspective nature shaped his literary pursuits. His early exposure to French high society provided rich material for his later works, which meticulously dissect the subtleties of social interactions and personal identity.Proust's literary journey was marked by his revolutionary narrative style, characterized by long, intricate sentences and deep psychological insight. His work delves into the complexities of memory, famously illustrating how involuntary memories can resurface, triggered by sensory experiences—a concept that has fascinated psychologists and literary critics alike.Controversially, Proust's open exploration of homosexuality, thinly veiled in his characters, challenged the conservative norms of his time. This candidness not only paved the way for more open discussions of LGBTQ+ themes in literature but also cemented his status as a trailblazer in modernist writing.Proust's influence extends far beyond his lifetime, inspiring contemporary writers such as Virginia Woolf and James Joyce, who admired his innovative narrative techniques and introspective depth. His work continues to captivate readers and scholars, offering timeless insights into the human condition. Marcel Proust's legacy is a testament to the enduring power of literature to transcend time and societal boundaries, making him a perennial figure of fascination and reverence in the literary world.

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