How Proust Can Change Your Life
Ratings14
Average rating3.2
15
Ratings14
Average rating3.2
With an introduction by comedian and novelist David Baddiel A novel in seven volumes, Marcel Proust’s In Search of Lost Time is considered a major literary work of the twentieth century. And even more crucially, one that you should have read by now. However, as one of its most distinguishing features is its staggering length, many of us feel intimidated and perhaps, even, fatigued at the thought of diving in. Alain de Botton’s hilarious and unexpected Proustian manual, is then, the perfect antidote to this problem. In How Proust Can Change Your Life, de Botton masterfully distils what Proust says about friendship, reading, being alive and taking your time, and mixes it with his own, no less nourishing commentary. As de Botton rereads Proust for our collective benefit, we see the continued relevance of his work and the rich and varied insights he can offer us, from how to reinvigorate your relationship to being a good host. This is Proust as you’ve never seen him before. He may even change your life.
Reviews with the most likes.
If you have considered reading this book, you are probably aware of who Proust is, but I honestly knew little about him before reading this book. I've been on a French author reading kick for, oh, five months or so, and I've had this book in my TBR for quite some time, so this was a must-read for me.
The question is, then, How? And, importantly, Can He?
The answers read like a how-to-be-happier self-help guide, but this book is not of that genre; this book is actually a book of literary criticism, oddly. Reading Proust can change your life by teaching you to focus on slowing down, relishing, thinking, reading thoughtfully, and your senses.
That's the How. Now for the Can He.
I say yes. Of course I do. I am a librarian, for goodness sake. Of course Proust can change your life. I'm of the opinion that all books can and do.
