I must have been close to 20 too when I read Proust's Swann, it's more than 45 years ago now and I don't remember anything of the story. But no novel after it grasped me so much right from the first sentence, it wasn't the story, it was the style of his writing, the descriptions of things that beamed me right into the places he writes about. It was a revelation for me of what literature can do and set the standards for what to read after. I always wanted to reread it and to read the whole set of volumes - but so many unread books pile up in my room and I won't live another 45 years ...

I spent 6 months reading Proust (made a video sharing my thoughts) and it is my favourite novel of all time. It's the hard but at the same time the most rewarding book you will ever read. It really goes deep, i learnt things i didnt know existed inside me. reading proust is reading yourself. Thanks for the video. if you have time, watch my summary of the novel, or not. cheers!!

This channel is one of the best discoveries I've made (or KZfaq's algorithm made for me) in a long time. Thank you for creating this environment of cultural showcase and exchange. I truly enjoyed your delivery, perspective and humour. Eagerly waiting for the day you'll (maybe) review philosophy books. Came for the Clarice book (Paixão segundo G. H.), stayed for the absolute quality of the content. PS: Sorry about my English. It's not my first language (portuguese) and I'm still figuring it out.

Yes. Proust's language is so beautiful, you can't even see the horizon of it's beauty.

Greetings from Siberia! I'm so happy to hear your analysis again and again. The thinking people form a real family. Thank you so much, man, for your work!

About 30 years ago, during a lecture, Michael Graves called Proust a likely great architect just for his description of dust appearing in sunlight through parted curtains.

' the past is a foreign country; they do things differently there.' - L.P. Hartley ( The Go-Between; another great book, similar is some ways).

Always love your reviews! Been watching for a year now and love to see your channel expand even more.

If it doesn't taste like you're eating a stick of butter, it's not a good madeleine.

Music is also a huge mean to reminisce. Proust has talked about it with Swann's "sonate de Vinteuil". But today, with recorded music, we all have many of our own sonatas

Hey Cliff, just wanted to say your channel has made a great impact on my life. I'm 17, about to go into uni and this period of transition has given me time to read and appreciate many of the books you have recommended. Thank you! Should you find yourself in Sydney Australia, give us a heads up!

Swanns Way is broken into three parts, the first and last is a first person narrative by a high-class youth of his experiences at home in France and while in Combray, a village of France, the second part, stuck in the middle, is told in third person, and relates the love life of a French socialite in his relationship with a free-spirited woman, Odette, who isn't as serious as Swann in their relations, and eventually parts from him. The beauty of the book is its long and beautiful descriptions of French countrysides, the social interactions between the characters with its masterfully crafted dialogue and tension. In a sense, Swanns Way is a poetic look of life in France during the turn of the 19th century, full of its drama and social intrigues. It's a very good book! Most readers and writers suggest people to read this book, for its witty use of words, for in very few other works, can one read a work written with such a wonderful style.

I'm sorry, I thought this was Better Than Food: Book Reviews, not Better Than Books: Food Reviews!

YES! 19:40 this really translates my feelings with Proust. And Tim Hecker was absolutely one of my more blissful live experiences ever, I was completely drowned in the sound of his Konoyo live setting, accompanied by an ensemble of Japanese musicians playing Gagaku. It made me think of Teshigahara's films and Toru Takemitsu's soundtracks.

I would love for you to read/review Aurélien by Aragon!

Just started reading this. After reading Lolita I have struggled to find a work with such beautiful prose.

It took me until I was quite an mature lady to realize how hilarious parts of "Swann's Way" really were.

22.19. That is the exact extract I sent to friends. An incredibly peceptive passage. Marx said "An hour prwctice is worth a 100 hours of theory". Proust is saying we can learn faster from literature which provides us with experiences we may never have.

Great review per usual . After I finish up with Giovanni's room I'm definitely picking up Swan's Way. Have you read any James Baldwin? Is he a future video topic ?

I can’t wait to read it. I really like the analogy with ambient music (and Tim Hecker!)

I've been hoping you'd do Swann's Way since I discovered your channel. It has intimidated me for years. I've always doubted my ability to grasp it but I think it's about time I gave it proper go.

amazing narration, you picked out some of my favorite passages as well. love the backdrop of the tea

Proust distinguishes himself from all the other great authors through his meticulously fathoming of human emotion and the unparalleled meditation on the passing of time which surpasses in his complexity any philosophy I've read. Great review Cliff, always happy to see a new video of yours.

Read Swann's Way only last year and totally loved it! As you said, it needs to be taken in slowly, sipped in drop by drop like very heavy port wine. Second Part is already on my bookshelf, but I'm still busy with other books and work and boring everyday issues... ;-) As Proust is also one of the writer's discussed by Bataille in "Evil in Literature" I wondered wether you would touch on that. But maybe that would make for a good topic for a seperate vid: "Evil in Literature" and the works discussed therein.

I re-watched Eyes Wide Shut a few days ago, then picked up Dream Story by Arthur Schnitzler today. Just wondering if this novella is on your to-read list?

Must read: Robert Musil's Man Without Qualities.

I came here after reading Flaubert's Madame Bovary (I loved it), because you recommended that book to people who like Proust. So happen now I am reading Swann's Way; I like Madame Bovary the story more, but I enjoy the writing in this book. That part you read at the end, about how we empathize better with people in books (more than people we know outside books) because we can see them really close, we can see them change (I am thinking about Madame Bovary when I write that), and people outside books change too slow and feel less than real for us. Happen it is similar if you have a child and the child she is growing; in your mind you can remember when she was an infant but because you saw every moment in her growing, it is difficult for to feel how each part in her childhood, infant, 1 year, 2 year, and every day and week between she is changing, but we forget the different people they become and remember only a line stretch back from how she is now. I remember the moment I read that part and I think, still think, that is one of the most true things I read in my life. Thank you.

God i was excited when i saw this in my feed. Purchased the Recherche a couple of weeks ago, now i just gotta finnish all my unread books. Keep the Great content comin'!

I love this playful and insightful discussion of Proust and his amazing insights to be found in Swann's Way.

If anyone is interested, the George Sand novel that Proust mentions in volumes one and seven in connection with the night the narrator's mother failed to kiss him before bed, _François le Champi_ , is potentially an "Easter egg" relevant to the story. I'm currently about a third of the way through _François_ and have already observed at least three things that bear directly on _À la recherche du temps perdu_ . And it's a good story of its own, as well.

glad to see this one on here cliff, it really is a great read. hope ur project is going well. if you like proust but maybe found him a little too sensitive I recommend the man without qualities by musil-some of his sentences r more precise than math equations. also based on the high recommendation from bolano, I discovered the great poet ( or antipoet, as he claims), niconor parra. looking forward to whats coming

I'm glad you love Withnail and I. I always wonder if the humour of those quintessential British comedys carries over the Atlantic.

Cool ive been meaning to watch some of these after the Yukio mishima vid on sun and steel, good channel!!

your videos are always the highlight of my day

Ohhhh Man I really love your channel, just because you talk about my favorite books and authors (and you do it with passion): Huysmans, Pessoa, Lispector and now Proust (if you do one of Virginia Woolf I die jaja). Im happy,. In this days Im reading the second novel of the saga, and Im doing it to my grandmother.

I really enjoyed Alain De Botton's book 'How Proust Can Change Your Life'. That's a light, fun but worthwhile read.

haha finally! I love Proust. I had planned to read all of In Search... last year, but life happened and school happened... maybe when I graduate. But yeah, I read Swann's Way in High School and it became my all time favorite book.

Hi there Mr. Books, Love your channel! You give literature another fun dimension... thank you for that! So, question: Did you read anything of Mr. Philip Roth? What do you think about him? Keep on awesome work! Kindest and warmest regards, De Selby

The only book review channel I really enjoy

This might seem unrelated, but I recently saw The Neon Demon and I was wondering--spoilers for the ending--: Do you think the ending was a reference to 'Story of the Eye'? It fits the themes of the film oddly well, in my opinion.

Withnail and I is the best. Great review as always. Love Tim Hecker too

As the same occurrence. I have read Proust with the same breaks. Firstly, half of Swan's way, then about 7 months passed and I returned to again and couldn't separate myself from him.

Fantastic reviews dude. Read Story of the Eye last week, very cool book.

If you're looking for another great winter read I recommend Ice by Anna Kavan.

I was thinking of reading this, now I'm convinced

YES. I WAS WAITING FOR THIS

I have a painting that is probably done by Marcel Proust, it has been in my French family for decades and I wonder if art by Marcel would have some value. Anyone?

Love this book. I'm starting to watch your video now, so maybe you'll answer it there, but... I still have got to read the others, do you think they can be easily be resumed after some two or three years I've read the first one?

Hey Mr Sargent, could you recommend any british comedy similar to Whitnail and I?

Just finished Swann‘s Way. Anybody read the other one‘s? How are they in comparison?

'Withnail and I' is my all-time favorite comedy, next to 'O Brother Where Art Thou?'

I believe it was Richard Griffiths who played Uncle Monty in 'Withnail & I'. Did you know 'Withnail & I' was originally an unpublished novel?, one which featured a far bleaker ending than the one shown in the film.

Hope you share your views on the other six volumes as well.

My proustian moment is smelling the decay of leaves and feeling the warm sun of mid autumn whilst walking through my local park

What we all have in common with Proust is that we are human beings possessing the ability to live life and assess life simultaneously.

Wish I had more time to watch this right now! Great review choice. I'll be back.

Hey has anyone noticed that this novel is available in different number of volumes? 3, 4, 6 or 7? Why is that?

I'd like to see you review Pimp by Iceberg Slim

Thank you for giving me words.

You should read Harvest by Jim Crace, I think you'd like it. Keep up the good work man these are the best book reviews online, at least that I've seen

Its funny you mentioned Borges, because I just picked him up recently. All I can say right now is that I'm in complete awe. He manages to do things in stories that I didn't think were possible.

,,For a while he had had the idea, so as to be able to go to Compiegne and Pirrefonds without appearing to be doing it in order to meet Odette, of contriving to be taken there by one of his friends, the Marquis de Forestelle , who had a chateau in the vicinity."

What about Karl Ove Knausgaard? He is meant to be the Swedish Proust?

Life is too short to read bullshit. What a wonderful review! I picked up Swans Way last fall and was intimidated that I wouldn’t grasp it fully. But after your review I can’t wait to take my time, slow down and take it in. Thank you!

Will be reading Woman in the Dunes soon, sounds very interesting.

Hey bro. Great review, rather unconventional. What book would you recommend by Jorge Luis Borges? Like what's THE BOOK to get?

Amazing review, thanks a lot

You read the Lydia Davis translation?

How do you hold back, to relish these long sentences without getting carried away by the dense prose?

Loved it! Watched till the end! Recently, I was planning to read Proust, and just want some encouragement. Thanks dear!😊

Waiting for the day you'll review some Haruki Murakami or Pynchon. Keep doing the great job

11:26. The answer is James Joyce.

Hey, great video, new to your channel but I am slowly working my way through your content. You make a nice change from much of the booktube culture. I would be really interested to see your take on Sons and Lovers by D.H. Lawrence.

There's more to life than books you know, But not much more. -Moz

That opening is hilarious! XD

Well, as far as we know Thomas Pynchon never had any daddy issues. Then again, certain more disturbing passages in Gravity's Rainbow could be interpreted to suggest such a thing... Great review. That's cool that you enjoy Tim Hecker; I'd very much like to see some more music recommendations.

See the Monty python sketch - summary of the whole of Temp Perdu in 30 seconds in a barmy Quiz show .

Volume 1, Swan's Way, is like a prelude to the remaining volumes, or so I am told by an Oxford literature professor friend of mine. I'm currently half way through Volume 2, In the 'Shadow of Young Girls in Flower'. I'm reading the Penguin Modern Classics ed. translated by James Grieve. I highly recommend it. It is a dazzling analysis of male and female adolescence, of childhood memories, of love and sexuality, of growing up, relationships, finding one's place in society and much more. Proust's ability to describe feelings, emotions and perceptions is simply spectacular. Please don't stop at reading Swan's Way. In The Shadow of Young Girls in Flower is, in my opinion, deeper and more profound. Virginia Woolf is quoted as saying 'My great adventure was undoubtedly Proust. What is there left to write after that?'

19:05 Who is this author that he mentioned? I couldn't quite grasp what he said

The tea should be served in pocerlain teacup and from teapot

Arcana; in an essay, Michael Graves called Proust a better architect than most by virtue of his description of dust floating thru rays of light.

Have you ever considered doing anything by Thomas Pynchon, Gravity's Rainbow seems like something you might enjoy thematically at least.

Kerouac loved Proust, so I’ve wanted to dive in!

Richard Griffiths was Uncle Monty in Withnail and I

you don't read big books and now you pick the largest of the lot! i suppose you are going to read it in series form. A great reward if you can do it so they say.

By being so sensitive and observant of the tiniest details a great writer can express the human experience in the most beautiful way but it also means they can cut through bullshit which may not be so good for the fathers ego. Clashes of opinion are probably quite good for sharpening the sword of rhetoric too.

I don't think James Joyce had any issues with his dad, actually I've heard they were quite fond of one another, and Joyce is my favorite 20th century author! (please try to review one of his books, although I remember you saying in one video that you did not finish "Ulysses" which is understandable but unfortunate)

my question is, could someone get away with floral descriptions today? i mean, you can self-publish now, almost as like a main consideration in many instances, but, would one be able to sell at a decent clip if their work is full of those brands of lavish meditations on [pick a topic]....

Who's the author he mentions at 19:04 ? I can't spell the name and the captions don't help.

After spending hours of analyzing this novel at Uni, this intro just made me die.

My goal in life now is to become the one great author without daddy issues. Thanks, I have found my purpose.

why is the cover page worded 'snob'?

"You mean you've been up here in all this beastly mud and oomska without wellingtons?"

The book is mainly about how the narrator became a writer, how the narrator became the writer of the book your are reading.

Here we go!

Another great review

i nearly spilled my fucking coffee at the beginning ahahahaha

I wanna see you review the REST of Rememberence of Things Past, please.

Richard Griffiths- RIP - was Uncle Monty.

I think that in your case, An A and W and a good cheeseburger would have done the trick!