Reading Proust's In Search of Lost Time in 2014 discussion

This thread is for any comments on Roger Shattuck's book Proust's Way.

I've just finished Proust's Way and since finishing ISOLT I've also read the Beckett book and Monsieur Proust's Library (with other reading in between) and I'm very underwhelmed with all these books about Proust and ISOLT. The Shattuck book is ok but I think I have a natural aversion to literary criticism. For some reason I thought some of these would be quite good though.

I'm still intending on reading the Carter bio though.

Thanks for the report Jonathan. As you know, I've read a bunch of these criticism books. I found Shattuck's book one of only a handful that were somewhat helpful. I didn't read Beckett. I read Monsieur Proust's Library some months ago but can't remember much about it.

In doing all the outside reading I was seeking answers to a couple of fundamental questions. Why is Search always listed as the top of everybody's' list of greatest novels? What is it about beyond plot synopsis? It was not a fruitful search. The more I read, the more questions arose and the less certain I became. Lots of contradiction and disagreement.

In the end I was able to identify what the critical issues were and some of the differing opinions held about those issues. I guess that was worth something. Having sorted through the outside reading I drew my own conclusions about my questions, some of which have been reflected in my comments.

"I think I have a natural aversion to literary criticism.""

Try this...from 1931, one of the earliest structural analysis (Symbolism), by Edmund Wilson.
Proust starts on page 132. Then, on page 141: Debut at Mme Villeparisis, followed by death of grandmother....and the pattern begins.
http://archive.org/stream/axelscastle...

I like to collect lectures and writings from lay-people, those who just fell in love with Proust.
Here is one of the early Proust websites by Joel Rich, who has since died.
I love his lecture on "Proust Among the Animals."
http://www.proustian.com/lectures.html

Marcelita wrote: "I like to collect lectures and writings from lay-people, those who just fell in love with Proust."

Me too. Here's a fascinating interview with Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer about his fascination with Proust:
http://www.nybooks.com/articles/archi...

Thank you Ben for sharing this wonderfully insightful interview. I was awed by Justice Breyer's discussion of Proust! And another fan that reread the whole book immediately! In French too.

Ben wrote: "Marcelita wrote: "I like to collect lectures and writings from lay-people, those who just fell in love with Proust."

Me too. Here's a fascinating interview with Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breye..."

When it first appeared, it was only in French. So, it was thrilling to finally read it in English. Justice Breyer is what I call a "circular-reader," beginning again immediately.

Here is a favorite "lay-person" describe how he feels reading Proust:

Edmund de Waal on Proust: extracts
Institut français du Royaume-Uni

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=3ZR1xMq...

(May have posted before....)