Reviews

I began by getting frustrated that the narrative was being frequently lost or at least relegated to second fiddle to the lengthy emotive descriptions of physics places, plants and people. Until I realised that was precisely the point.
I enjoy this work much more from that moment on.

bryanzhang's review against another edition

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5.0

Two thoughts:
1. Perhaps the definitive introspective fiction. Suddenly Ishiguro feels like an imitator. And there is no point recording any of your experiences or thoughts - Proust already did it, and better. Anything else is redundant.
2. Perhaps the master of analogy. Proust finds interesting comparisons for every little experience and observation.

More thoughts as I gradually work through the remaining six(!) volumes.

bels's review against another edition

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slow-paced

2.0

sofipesaresi3's review against another edition

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emotional reflective slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character

4.75

erboe501's review against another edition

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challenging emotional funny reflective slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

I've wanted to dip my toes into In Search of Lost Time since grad school. I knew it would be difficult reading, and it was and wasn't like I expected. I really resonated with a good deal of the Proust's writing around memory, especially sleep. I did a good deal of underlining. And I found many of the character descriptions hilarious. One podcast described the characterization and humor as Dickensian, which accurately gets at the satirical nature of his society portraits. Proust's notoriously long sentences and paragraphs flowed well and it was sort of nice to ride along that nostalgia wave. But it was also very taxing to read. I don't think I'll read the other books in ISOLT, but I'm glad I read this volume.

tfvh2004's review against another edition

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challenging reflective slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

outdoorminer's review against another edition

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challenging emotional reflective slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.5

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