I'm re-posting some casual comments I've made as part of a "Proust-read-along" that Neil Griffiths (writer and youtuber) started a couple of weeks ago. Not going to edit them much--just posting as is.
I’m less far along as you Neil and I’m reading the
Moncrieff. (the cheapest kindle version for now—will prob order a book copy
soon). My kindle tells me I’ve read 1% of all 7 volumes—(woohoo! -only 99% to
go!)
I DID kind of fall into it (more than I fell into “Infinite Jest” for example—God knows
when or if I’ll ever finish that one). I
love the beginning with the description of him falling asleep – in general I
love his descriptions of how his consciousness relates to external spaces (rooms)
he is in and time—the fluid movement between past present and future. And one already senses the senses are very
important to him (and very sensual).
I’m fascinated by the point of view—we are inside his head “watching”
his observations about the past present future, as well as his own reactions to
everything—I’m not sure what the technical term for this form of narration
would be—some sort of first person narrative.
Considering how “internal” it is we also get a lot of
“external” observations about French social/class relationships and also gender
relationships—the oedipal relationship he has to his mother, who for me at
least has only come alive as an object of HIS desire-not yet in her own right. I
love the back and forth between “society novel” and more-or-less stream of
consciousness. Swann’s appearance is mysterious and intriguing. (like the timid
peal of the doorbell that announces him).
Gender relationships: the patriarchal household is full of
strong women--the elderly female relatives come alive more than for example his
father does, e.g. the grandmother who likes to walk outside even when it rains—or
the grandaunt(s)? and how they interact with Swann. The servant, with whom the
narrator must negotiate carefully to get the note sent to his mother.
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