Days Reading Proust: 125 (16, 64, 29, 16)
Page: Finishes S&G
Pages Read Since Last Post: 406
Books Read Since Last Post: 0
Grant Proposals Written Since Last Post: 2 (totalling £17K)
Not much to add to previous comments. It was tremendous fun this one - probably my favourite volume so far (as reflected in a higher page-per-day count than any other). Charlus is clearly a brilliant comic creation, particularly when plumbing the depths of high-campery. The descent of the humour to Kenneth Williams-esque levels could have been irritating, but in fact only added to my general enjoyment of the book, and constantly reminded me of what a thoroughly modern novel this is.
The narrator is obviously being ridiculous in messing Albertine around... although it pains me somewhat, as I see rather too much of myself in him. The Verdurins have re-emerged as, oddly enough, some of the more likeable characters for me, and I've enjoyed re-visiting Balbec immensely. A few mysteries remain - firstly, what is happening with Saint-Loup and his purported upcoming marriage?... something fishy going on (actually I'm being a little disingenuous here as I am already aware of two major upcoming plot twists involving Saint-Loup, although whether either of these are related to current happenings I cannot say). Secondly, is Swann dead yet? It's been alluded to on 3 occasions, but I'm not sure if this is the narrator writing this with hindsight, or Marcel's reluctance to pen another death scene at this stage. In any case, he shall be missed.
So, onwards. I am in favour of a very short break - long enough to knock off a shortish Booker winner. I'm aiming to have read a decent number of older Bookers prior to this year's Booker of Booker vote. Currently halfway through Graham Swift's 1996 winner Last Orders, and enjoying it very much. I saw the film a few years ago - a Michael Caine/Ray Winstone/Bob Hoskins vehicle, and a good effort although the book is better. Quick straw poll of Proustanauts - who should and who will win the prize? Also, what has been the best movie adaptation of a Booker winner?
I'm spending the Easter weekend in the North. I have been generously given the option of wedding planning with my brother and soon-to-be-sister-in-law, so I instead plan to make a good impression on my copy of Cap/Fug. Who knows, given the cliffhanger of a closing statement at the end of this last volume I may be able to put it down as research.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
3 comments:
All to the good. I think the way is clear for starting on Good Friday and pushing on to completion. I suggest that we count the remaining work as three books allowing discretionary breaks between them. I can see this being done by the end of April.
All to the good. I think the way is clear for starting on Good Friday and pushing on to completion. I suggest that we count the remaining work as three books allowing discretionary breaks between them. I can see this being done by the end of April.
End of April? Hmm, we shall see. I'm not rushing, but who knows? If it goes well we should plan to celebrate the Garrood birthday early with our Proust movie evening.
Post a Comment