The Cambridge Companion to Proust

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.

The Cambridge Companion to Proust aims to provide a broad account of the major features of Proust's A la recherche du temps perdu. Progressing from background and biographical material, the chapters investigate such essential areas as the composition of the novel, its social dimension, its intellectual parameters and its humour.