Reviews

The Guermantes Way by Marcel Proust

amjwarburg's review

adventurous challenging emotional funny hopeful mysterious reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

marlisenicole's review against another edition

reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

ericfheiman's review against another edition

4.0

The Proust pros don’t like this volume as much. Maybe it was that I finally read this translation, but (aside from the 600-700 page spread) I was really engaged. Halfway done!

cjt64's review

reflective relaxing slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

petragrlpwr's review against another edition

reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

3.5

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Racism and Antisemitism

funfamilyvideos's review

dark emotional funny informative reflective sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism and Antisemitism

Moderate: Death and Adult/minor relationship

Minor: Terminal illness

gbliss's review

3.0

Not favorite in La Recherche... and I have heard the same from others.

More than a bit too much on the Dreyfus Affair and MUCH more than a bit too much on lineage and the fine points -- sorry, the minuscule points -- of social etiquette.

aront's review

5.0

I am reading the new Penguin translation. I am not sure if the translator of this volume is not as talented as the first two, or if Proust himself is to blame, but I found this volume a much more difficult read. There were several passages I had to read 2 or 3 times to fully understand. In general the book flowed less easily and it took me longer to read.

But as others have noted both Proust's incredible insights into humanity and his painting prose are worth getting past any difficulties. I am so glad I took upon myself the challenge to finally read this great work. Now on to the next volume.

brossolette's review against another edition

inspiring reflective relaxing slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

lindseysparks's review against another edition

3.0

I greatly enjoyed the parts about the Dreyfus Affair and there were some lovely passages but the rest if this just felt too long. I'm hoping that once I finish all of In Search of Lost Time I finally get it. So far, I feel like just the first volume was enough.