The Cambridge Companion to Proust

This Companion, first published in 2001, aims to provide a broad account of the major features of Proust's work.

Richard Bales (Edited by)

9780521660198, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 14 June 2001

266 pages, 2 b/w illus.
22.9 x 15.2 x 1.9 cm, 0.56 kg

'We are provided with a series of closely analysed descriptions, full of allusive and alliterative phrases with a music of their own.' Modern Language Review

The Cambridge Companion to Proust, first published in 2001, aims to provide a broad account of the major features of Marcel Proust's great work A la recherche du temps perdu (1913–27). The specially commissioned essays, by acknowledged experts on Proust, address a wide range of issues relating to his work. Progressing from background and biographical material, the chapters investigate such essential areas as the composition of the novel, its social dimension, the language in which it is couched, its intellectual parameters, its humour, its analytical profundity and its wide appeal and influence. Particular emphasis is placed on illustrating the discussion of issues by frequent recourse to textual quotation (in both French and English) and close analysis. This is the only contributory volume of its kind on Proust currently available. Together with its supportive material, a detailed chronology and bibliography, it will be of interest to scholars and students alike.

Introduction Richard Bales
1. From Belle Epoque to First World War: the social panorama Cynthia Gamble
2. The vast structure of recollection: from life to literature William C. Carter
3. Ruskin and the cathedral of lost souls Diane R. Leonard
4. The birth and development of A la recherche du temps perdu Marion Schmid
5. Lost and found: the structure of Proust's novel Roger Shattuck
6. Proust's Narrator Brian Rogers
7. The unconscious Jack Jordan
8. The texture of Proust's novel Joshua Landy
9. Proust's human comedy Hollie Markland Harder
10. Proust and social spaces Edward J. Hughes
11. Love, sexuality and friendship Alison Finch
12. Proust and the fine arts Richard Bales
13. Proust and posterity David Ellison
Proust and the art of brevity Malcolm Bowie.

Subject Areas: Literary studies: fiction, novelists & prose writers [DSK], Literary theory [DSA]