The Essential Remembrance of Things Past (Abridged) Audiobook

" I tried for half a year to read this. I tried and failed. I read to page 178 and finally told myself to give it up. I found the novel enchanting at first, but for me it fell into a rut that I couldn't get out off. Probably if I had a guide I would garner more appreciation for it. "

" third time and then I'm on to Girls in flower. Nothing so mind-pleasing since Kundera. "

" A man seeking to connect with the meaning of his life discovers a new theory on the reality of time. It seems that time is not traditionally linear but rather, in truth, humans are subject to triggers, as simple as a madeleine and a cup of tea, which can send one unwittingly hurtling into the past. Depending upon the associations one may have with such triggers, the journey may be pleasant or painful. But in order to understand where we have traveled, one must revisit the past and surge existentially against the people and places, lovers and friends, the art and music and society, which influence our lives. Otherwise, the mysteries of life may escape one's sense and sensibility. Proust's syntax is a mile long and if you demand a structured plot, you are likely to be disappointed by this novel. However, the beauty of the language is not of this world: it is surreal, lyrical, dreamlike, entrancing, astonishing. I recommend that you simply surrender to Proust's supreme gift for the language and drift along on the pure beauty of the language alone. This novel represents the early work of a genius and no matter what biases one may proffer about the writer, there is little doubt that the writing is one of a kind. Proust is on my Top 10 Writers of All Time List: perhaps, only James Joyce has a signature maximalist literary style as unique and creatively rich as Proust. I hope you venture to read this somewhat daunting novel -- it's one of the truly great ones. "

" This had my short hairs twitching! "

" k. "

" ok...some of the prose is remarkable and beautiful but my god, this is a very tedious book to read. A friend of mine thinks it's about the greatest thing ever written but I guess I just don't get it. "

" I tried. I really did. But I finally had to hide this, unfinished, between the mattress and the boxspring. "

" By the time I'd finished this book I felt that Proust was the poet of the banal. But that was after many hundreds of pages. He has a power. It ruined him, but for a moment he held the flame of creation in his hands. "

" wowza, 1000+ pgs, genius sprinkled w boredom, all and all mostly great :). incredible colors. "

" I can see why this is a landmark in literature, but it bored the hell out of me. Unreadable. "

" The best art of fiction is clearly on display here. You've never really read spectacular writing until you've read this book or any other by Proust. If you can read it in the original French, even better! "

" Contains brilliant thoughts and is truly a unique piece, but I was not a fan of Proust's wordy writing style. "

" I recognize this is a classic, but it is certainly not the most enjoyable book to read... a bit like Pride and Prejudice, or Wurthering Heights. You know it is good for you, but knowing that does not keep you awake... "

" Excellent, ponderous, a commitment. "

" Some exquisite prose. Unsure of the significance of Swann's story in the grand scheme of things but presumably the next five volumes will make that clear. "

" I'm re-reading this, and have upgraded it from 4 to 5 stars. A pleasure to read after a recent crappy book that wasted my precious time. "

" classic literature oh my! "

" A hard slog through 3500 pages in all 3 volumes - I set aside a summer when not working to get through them. "

" This book will either kill you or make you reborn. Just sayin'. "

" Some day I will read them all, I think when I'm retired and I have a lot more time to spend on it. "

" Thick writing, but beautiful passages. I've been reading it off and on since last year...eep. "