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kitkatdub 's review for:
The Guermantes Way
by Marcel Proust
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I'm not entirely sure why I've read three books in this series so far, but something must be bringing me back.
My brain finally settled on a word for the narrator while reading this one, a sentiment I've had about him in the previous books but hadn't managed to pin down. The narrator/protagonist of the book can only accurately be described as a simp. He spends all of his time "in love" with one woman or another, dwelling obsessively on every aspect of her life. He's so oblivious to how ridiculous he sounds that at one point in the book he asks another character, a good friend of his, for an introduction to the aunt he fancies himself in love with at the time - and asks at the same time if he could have the picture his friend keeps of his aunt for himself. At no point does he consider this as inappropriate and is surprised and disappointed when the friend refuses him the picture.
His musings on the women he obsesses over are deeply uncomfortable in places and his actions are always bordering on stalking. It gives off the same sort of feeling as the common stereotype of French men as being "romantic" but overly touchy and affectionate. He describes pretending to be partially sighted in order to trick a waitress into getting close enough to him to be able to "fondle" her and then tells her to "feel around" for some money on his person - and this is just as a little side anecdote, a fond memory of a particular pub he liked to eat at. Genuinely disturbing in places as a modern reader and difficult to have any kind of sympathy for the character.
My brain finally settled on a word for the narrator while reading this one, a sentiment I've had about him in the previous books but hadn't managed to pin down. The narrator/protagonist of the book can only accurately be described as a simp. He spends all of his time "in love" with one woman or another, dwelling obsessively on every aspect of her life. He's so oblivious to how ridiculous he sounds that at one point in the book he asks another character, a good friend of his, for an introduction to the aunt he fancies himself in love with at the time - and asks at the same time if he could have the picture his friend keeps of his aunt for himself. At no point does he consider this as inappropriate and is surprised and disappointed when the friend refuses him the picture.
His musings on the women he obsesses over are deeply uncomfortable in places and his actions are always bordering on stalking. It gives off the same sort of feeling as the common stereotype of French men as being "romantic" but overly touchy and affectionate. He describes pretending to be partially sighted in order to trick a waitress into getting close enough to him to be able to "fondle" her and then tells her to "feel around" for some money on his person - and this is just as a little side anecdote, a fond memory of a particular pub he liked to eat at. Genuinely disturbing in places as a modern reader and difficult to have any kind of sympathy for the character.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Antisemitism
Minor: Misogyny, Sexism