How does one read Proust?

[Alyoshka]

We are four guys having a book club and we want to start reading Proust. :D

We want to start with In Search of Lost Time, but we are kind of afraid we have to read all seven volumes to get anything out of it. How should we proceed? :idea:

[JBI]

With a lot of time - it is quite the long book - I think still the longest good novel ever written.

[Alyoshka]

It is quite a long book, as you say, but we are wondering if it makes any sense reading only volume one Swan's Way? Some day we might read all seven volumes, but it would be easier to start if we knew that it's not a necessity to read all of them.

[eric1172]

For a book club you'll be ok just reading Swan's Way. It reads a lot like it's own story. Although the rest of Rememberence is certainly worth reading if you have the time, you won't feel like you're missing anything just reading Swann's Way.

Also the last 3 volumes or so aren't technically finished, Proust did before the final edits could be done on them.

[PeterL]

You probably should select something else for your club.

[Guinivere]

With confidence and patience.

[Kafka's Crow]

Proust can't be hurried. Read him very, very slowly and patiently.

[Alyoshka]

Thank you for your thoughts on the subject! PeterL, you say that we should select something else for our club, why is that? Because it's too tough or because we're only planning on reading the first volume?

[kasie]

Why not try Swann's Way as a starter? You could read the text, read around for a bit of critical background, get together and discuss it - and with four guys, there will be plenty to discuss! Then you could decide between yourselves whether to continue with the next book(s) for the club discussions or choose a different book but read on in the series in your time or leave it for a later date, as the mood takes you individually.

As for choosing another book - it's your book group, do as you please in it. Go with the consensus of the group.

[PeterL]

Thank you for your thoughts on the subject! PeterL, you say that we should select something else for our club, why is that? Because it's too tough or because we're only planning on reading the first volume?

Not because of difficulty but the length and that it is the first. You should find out how people read, speed and depth, before getting into something that would take months to get through. Oh, you're only reading one volume; that may work.

[Veda]

With madeleines and lemon-lime tea

[Charles Darnay]

With madeleines and lemon-lime tea

Yes :D

[Alyoshka]

Thanks for your advices guys! We ended up on reading Swan's way. It looks promising after the first chapter, just enough to get the madeleines and lemon-lime tea comment :)