ipb1's review against another edition
5.0
5* does NOT mean I'm immediately drawn to embark on more Proust in the near future. Given so little happens it is strangely exhausting reading (in a way that [a:Karl Ove Knausgård|3020048|Karl Ove Knausgård|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1450722222p2/3020048.jpg]'s latter-day Proustian epic is not). Paradoxically brilliant and eminently putdownable.
noem_rlt's review against another edition
4.0
« Les lieux que nous avons connus n’appartiennent pas qu’au monde de l’espace où nous les situons pour plus de facilité. Ils n’étaient qu’une mince tranche au milieu d’impressions contiguës qui formaient notre vie d’alors ; le souvenir d’une certaine image n’est que le regret d’un certain instant ; et les maisons, les routes, les avenues, sont fugitives, hélas, comme les années. »
whateverlydiareads's review against another edition
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
rachel_the_managing_editor's review against another edition
4.7 stars; a quietly breathtaking collage of moments.
My time with Swann's Way has spanned years, but occurred in two bursts.
Part I, I read junior year of college, and since the rest of the book wasn't on the syllabus, and time was short, I stopped, vowing to pick it up again later; to finish what I had started.
Parts II and III, I read over the past three weeks, some 7 years later.
A disjointed approach, yes, but one that, given the episodic nature of the book, seems somehow fitting.
Let me just tell you skeptics right now: Proust is not difficult. The writing is, for the most part, straightforward. The tone, convivial and intimate. Sure, big sweeping themes of life can be found in these pages. It is after all, a deep rumination on the strange power of time and the fluidity of memory. But page by page, it does not require a philosopher or a literary snob to unpack. Of course, there is one thing it does require: time.
You may pick it up a few times and abandon it. But don't get discouraged. You will know when the time is right.
My time with Swann's Way has spanned years, but occurred in two bursts.
Part I, I read junior year of college, and since the rest of the book wasn't on the syllabus, and time was short, I stopped, vowing to pick it up again later; to finish what I had started.
Parts II and III, I read over the past three weeks, some 7 years later.
A disjointed approach, yes, but one that, given the episodic nature of the book, seems somehow fitting.
Let me just tell you skeptics right now: Proust is not difficult. The writing is, for the most part, straightforward. The tone, convivial and intimate. Sure, big sweeping themes of life can be found in these pages. It is after all, a deep rumination on the strange power of time and the fluidity of memory. But page by page, it does not require a philosopher or a literary snob to unpack. Of course, there is one thing it does require: time.
You may pick it up a few times and abandon it. But don't get discouraged. You will know when the time is right.
mainubes's review against another edition
3.0
Brillante pero un tanto pesado hacia la mitad del libro.
El final mejora.
El final mejora.
steven_nobody's review against another edition
4.0
At first I kind of fretted it anytime my mind wandered off, and then go back and give it a relisten. I've stopped that because it often didn't matter. This isn't difficult reading. You don't really need brains for this. Just a heart and patience.
sarah_dietrich's review against another edition
4.0
Beautiful, challenging, intelligent, complex, whiny, luxurious. A wonderful read, can't decide if its a 4 or 5-star for me. I found Swann's whining annoying, but I can't deny that it's a wonderful representation of an inner monologue. Do I want to read the 3,000-odd pages of the next six books?
alreinwarth's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia and Biphobia