happenings
I've just started reading Proust's Remembrance of Things Past, I'm hoping to blog about Swann's Way for the century of books, for the 1910s. I'm not sure if I'll get it done by the end of February, but I thought it was a great opportunity to read this book that I've heard so many great things about.
I do most of my reading on the train, and this morning on the way to work I was standing in a train carriage, reading my book, when a lady interrupted me to ask if she could take my picture. And I was flattered because yes I was wearing what I thought to be a pretty good outfit at the time, but as you may have guessed she wanted a picture because I was reading Proust. She said something like "seeing a young person like you reading Proust gives me hope for the future." Then she asked if I was on my way to uni. She may have overestimated my youth, I'm not really sure, would she have done the same if it wasn't casual Friday and I was wearing my office uniform instead of jeans would it have had the same effect?
Anway, clearly it's a book that inspires strong feelings, so I'm looking forward to reading the rest of it!
I do most of my reading on the train, and this morning on the way to work I was standing in a train carriage, reading my book, when a lady interrupted me to ask if she could take my picture. And I was flattered because yes I was wearing what I thought to be a pretty good outfit at the time, but as you may have guessed she wanted a picture because I was reading Proust. She said something like "seeing a young person like you reading Proust gives me hope for the future." Then she asked if I was on my way to uni. She may have overestimated my youth, I'm not really sure, would she have done the same if it wasn't casual Friday and I was wearing my office uniform instead of jeans would it have had the same effect?
Anway, clearly it's a book that inspires strong feelings, so I'm looking forward to reading the rest of it!
When my Mum's partner was getting "My Reading Life" signed for me by Bob Carr she mentioned to him that I had started reading Proust. He wished me good luck with it (Apparently).
ReplyDeletePeople often seem to say good luck with Proust... It's a little intimidating. And what an awesome story!
Deletemaybe she was just "recherching" her own "temps perdu"?
ReplyDeleteAs far as books of the century go, I have just finished "Kim" (1901) by one R Kipling. It was recommended to me by an Indian academic over a wedding dinner about 6 months ago. He thought it really got the soul of India as much as anything else. At the very least it should give pause to those who regard Kipling as a jingoistic imperialist.
Perhaps it was indeed.
DeleteDid you enjoy Kim? And are you reading through the whole century?