Do People Really Read Proust?

Posted on November 22, 2004 by Tito

Last week, I remarked to some friends before a Michael Chabon reading that I felt Proust was more talked about than actually read.

Now, some may consider me a philistine when it comes to  literature, as I had never even heard of Proust until his name came up at an Andrew Sean Greer reading for The Confessions of Max Tivoli, in response to a question regarding his influences. At least I had heard of Nabokov (another influence), and intended to read his work. But when the largely middle-aged housewife set* at Greer’s reading all nodded and  mumbled to each other that they knew it was Proust, I thought, "what kind of buffoon am I for not having heard of this most popular writer, an obvious influence?". So, on my next trek to the bookstore, I thought I’d pick up this Proust guy and join the club. I was amazed to learn that In Search of Lost Time, actually spanned six novels, and figured it would take me roughly 4 years to read (if I maintained a diligent pace).  At this point I decided that the people at the Greer reading were lying  sycophants. (If not true, this notion would at least release me from the burden of reading it myself.)

So of course, at the Chabon reading, he remarked of writing to show off Proust as an influence. After my pre-reading talk with my friends I snickered to/at myself, and wondered maybe I really am the only one not reading Proust. And now this, The Proust Project, reviewed in the SF Chronicle.

Am I the only person who hasn’t read Proust?

* I also am capable of generalizations & judgment.

UPDATE: DEC 22, 2004

If you can’t beat ‘em join ‘em … was it Bugs Bunny who coined that one? Anyway, I am going to give Proust a go, as I now encounter him around every literary corner.

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