One Year In Search of Lost Time ~ 2015 discussion

"The passengers who would be catching it stood aside to give it room, but unhurriedly, knowing that they had to deal with a debonair, almost human stroller which, guided, like the bicycle of a learner, by the indulgent signals of the station-master, and under the powerful tutelage of the engine-driver, was in no danger of running anyone down and would have stopped wherever you wanted" (~47.99%).

I've made a habit of reading the week's part very quickly, so I can focus on my other reads again. That means it's often hard for me at the end of the week to remember and comment.

I really liked this week's part though, scenes of and thoughts about love instead of saloon discussions, well, you know me. I'd like the saloon scenes much more if they had more meta-observations like here, instead of uncommented endless chatter.

I was a bit taken aback, though i shouldn't have been surprised, by Marcel's social scheming extending to love and Albertine, when he lied to her about his feelings:

I lied. I declared that she would have to listen to a preliminary confession, of a great passion that I had been feeling for some time past for Andrée, and I made it to her with a simplicity and candour worthy of the stage, but which we hardly ever have in life save in the case of a love that we do not feel.
(p. 228)

But i love the poetic final remark.

This following passage may explain some more:

I was finally able, without fearing that Albertine might suspect love in it, to speak to her with a gentleness that I had for so long denied myself and which I found delectable. I was almost caressing my confidante; as I spoke to her of her friend whom I loved, tears came into my eyes.
(p. 230)

Looking forward to the next part.

I agree, Simon. I enjoyed this week's section, though I'm feeling that 'back-and-forth' feeling again with the start of next week's section, already.