Marcel Proust | A Small Press Life: Books. Art. Writing. Life. Tea.

Title: Marcel Proust A Life
Author: Jean-Yves Tadie (Translation by Euan Cameron)
Year Published: 1996/Translation Copyright: 2000 (Penguin Books)
Year Purchased: 2005
Source: Barnes & Noble clearance rack
About: This is one of the most complex, obsessively detailed and clear-eyed biographies I have ever read. Don’t let the hefty 779 pages deter you; it’s a smooth read and well worth your time.
Motivation: Proust fascinates me like few others. I first came across his name as a teenager, when I discovered that I share a birthday with the great writer. That was all it took for me to decide to find out more about the Frenchman (yes, I’m that kind of self-absorbed). Fortunately, I never looked back; my life is infinitely richer for that decision. He is one of my favourite authors. I ended up reading this biography in 2006 whilst on a cruise. This is definitely my idea of vacation reading!
Times Read: 1
Random Excerpt/Page 577: “This explains why, shortly after 24 December, Proust asked Louis de Robert if he would take his book to Ollendorff, pointing out that he would offer to have it published at his own expense; the choice of this publisher, whose list consisted mainly of books on nature study, was scarcely a fortunate one; his response was to become famous.”
Happiness Scale: 9
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A Small Press Life: Books. Art. Writing. Life. Tea.