At approximately 7:45 pm, Friday, August 20th, I have finished Proust’s In Search of Lost Time:
“So if I were given long enough to accomplish my work, I should not fail, even if the effect were to make them [men] resemble monsters, to describe men as occupying so considerable a place, compared with the restricted place which is reserved for them in space, a place on the contrary prolonged past measure, for simultaneously, like giants plunged into the years, they touch the distant epochs through which they have lived, between which so many days have come to range themselves – in Time.”
I know these words can’t have the same meaning for someone who hasn’t read all 7 volumes as I have, yet I imagine anyone can relate to the image of men as Proust here paints us – far exceeding the extent of our physical bodies.
It has taken me 7 months (since January of this year) to read the entire novel and when I look back at some of my work that I’ve posted here, the effect of his epoch work on my moods and musings is inevitable. The next step for me is to read analysis of his work (which Proust would probably gag at considering his jabs at literary criticism) that has been suggested to me: Nabokov’s Lectures on Literature, Beckett’s “Proust,” or Gabriel Josipouici’s “On Trust.” Any other possible suggestions?
TVC Writing & Art 
Sep 03, 2010 @ 22:48:30
Nabokov’s Lectures! I appreciate his fiction, yes, but many famous authors’ nonfiction works are not very widely acknowledged.
Sep 03, 2010 @ 23:28:16
I actually haven’t read Nabokov’s fiction either, but I look forward to his Lectures which are coming in the mail soon. Just read Beckett’s Proust and can’t believe he wrote it at only 23 years old. By the way, who is this comment from? Thanks for posting…
Sep 22, 2010 @ 20:15:12
Tina, you know me.
I’m Anny from this summer’s PSAT class.
Sep 22, 2010 @ 20:24:38
Anny! Ah yes…such a perceptive young lady you are. What of Nabokov have you read? Next on my reading list is “Lolita” – can you believe I haven’t read it yet?! How is the official school year coming? Thanks for checking and commenting on my blog. Please continue to do so; you should give me your email address if you’d like, or your Facebook name so I can add you!
Sep 24, 2010 @ 22:38:46
Yes, the one I read was Lolita. It frightened me a bit, but hey, reading is supposed to be adventurous too, right?
School has been treating me well so far. To finally fill my brain once again after forgetting everything from middle school! I saw many of the vocabulary words you taught us (I saw “cartel” somewhere and I was instantly reminded of Amy’s flashcard-drawing skills) in our English class. Although schoolwork is going to become overbearing soon, I will definitely continue to check your blog when I still have the time.
I thought you went into an “anti-Facebook” phase? If you must, you can find me at http://www.facebook.com/flutepipes and you are welcome to add me.
Sep 24, 2010 @ 22:45:29
Oops, wrong link.
http://www.facebook.com/ThoseTangerines