In Search of Lost Time. By Marcel Proust FULL Audiobook
"In Search of Lost Time" (French: À la recherche du temps perdu), also known as Remembrance of Things Past, is a monumental novel by French author Marcel Proust. This early 20th-century work is renowned for both its length and its exploration of the theme of involuntary memory. Let's delve into the essence of this literary masterpiece.

1. Overview:
- The novel spans seven volumes and follows the recollections of an unnamed narrator from childhood through adulthood.
- Set in Paris and Normandy, it provides a vivid portrayal of high-society France during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

2. Themes:
- Involuntary Memory: Proust delves into the concept of memories triggered unexpectedly by sensory experiences. The famous "episode of the madeleine" exemplifies this theme.
- Time and Perception: The novel explores how time shapes our perceptions, relationships, and understanding of the world.
- Love and Desire: Proust delves into complex romantic relationships, unrequited love, and the longing for lost moments.
- Art and Aesthetics: The protagonist's encounters with art, music, and literature play a significant role.

3. Structure and Style:
- Proust began shaping the novel in 1909 and continued working on it until his final illness in 1922.
- The structure is intricate, with recurring motifs and interconnected narratives.
- The novel's language is rich, introspective, and often philosophical.

4. Notable Characters:
- The Narrator: Our guide through time and memory.
- Swann: A central character whose love life and social circles intersect with the narrator's.
- Albertine: A mysterious figure who captivates the narrator.

5. Volumes:
- Swann's Way (Du côté de chez Swann): Introduces the madeleine episode and sets the tone for the entire work.
- In the Shadow of Young Girls in Flower (À l'ombre des jeunes filles en fleurs): Explores love and desire.
- The Guermantes Way (Le Côté de Guermantes): Social intrigue and aristocracy.
- Sodom and Gomorrah (Sodome et Gomorrhe): Unveils homosexuality and jealousy.
- The Captive (La Prisonnière): Focuses on love and obsession.
- The Fugitive (Albertine disparue): Albertine's disappearance.
- Time Regained (Le Temps retrouvé): Culmination of themes and reflections.

6. Legacy and Influence:
- Proust's work has profoundly impacted 20th-century literature.
- Writers seek to emulate its depth and complexity.
- The novel's exploration of memory and time remains timeless.

In summary, In Search of Lost Time is a literary odyssey that invites readers to explore the intricacies of memory, love, and existence. Its pages resonate with the echoes of moments long past, inviting us to reflect on our own lives and the passage of time ..


00:00:00 Volume I: Swann’s Way. Author’s Dedication
00:02:08 Overture
01:59:06 Combray

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