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rolandsaintlaurent 's review for:
Swann's Way
by Marcel Proust
My old review from last year:
I really wanted to enjoy this book more than I did. Granted there are passages of beauty throughout, with some of the most vivid descriptions of memory I've ever seen. However, this is all tied up in a love story between two completely unlikable people; Swann and Odette. It's hard for me to fully recommend this one since nearly every instance of their courtship had me rolling me eyes and saying "good lord, get over yourselves already." I plan on continuing this series, but I'm hoping that future entries aren't as concentrated on unlikable leads as this one was.
/2015
I re-read this book as another attempt to kick-start Proust's entire Lost Time series, and while I still can't stomach anyone in this book, the beauty of the language stood out this time. This tends to happen on a re-reading when I'm no longer concerning myself with plot. I was able to let the prose wash over me, and there are a number of brilliant, probing insights scattered throughout. Also, Swann is such a repulsive man that him that I couldn't feel too bad for Odette treating him the way she did. Anyhow, reading this again I'm going to bump it up to four stars and recommend it to everyone. I'm more enthusiastic about getting into the series now than I was last year.
I really wanted to enjoy this book more than I did. Granted there are passages of beauty throughout, with some of the most vivid descriptions of memory I've ever seen. However, this is all tied up in a love story between two completely unlikable people; Swann and Odette. It's hard for me to fully recommend this one since nearly every instance of their courtship had me rolling me eyes and saying "good lord, get over yourselves already." I plan on continuing this series, but I'm hoping that future entries aren't as concentrated on unlikable leads as this one was.
/2015
I re-read this book as another attempt to kick-start Proust's entire Lost Time series, and while I still can't stomach anyone in this book, the beauty of the language stood out this time. This tends to happen on a re-reading when I'm no longer concerning myself with plot. I was able to let the prose wash over me, and there are a number of brilliant, probing insights scattered throughout. Also, Swann is such a repulsive man that him that I couldn't feel too bad for Odette treating him the way she did. Anyhow, reading this again I'm going to bump it up to four stars and recommend it to everyone. I'm more enthusiastic about getting into the series now than I was last year.