From Library Journal
Though Proust knew no English, his admiration of John Ruskin inspired him to translate two of the critic's works The Bible of Amiens and Sesame and Lilies. To each Proust contributed a preface and extensive notes, made available here in English for the first time. The young novelist was deeply affected by Ruskin's "religion of beauty," especially the notion that the artist must submit totally to the work of art within him. After a six-year apprenticeship, Proust was ready to dedicate himself to his life's work A la recherche du temps perdu. Macksey's introduction re-creates this important period in the artist's development, and the translators' graceful prose preserves the flavor of Proust's original commentaries. An entirely different view of Proust is afforded by Nemerov's collection of 12 lectures delivered to undergraduates at Brandeis in 1968. The lectures are presented with their "warts unremoved," which means they are uneven, often dated, and tell us as much about Nemerov's teaching experience as they do about the themes in Proust's novel. A first-time Proust reader might better explore other sources as a guide to Proust's great work. Lisa Mullenneaux, Iowa City, Ia.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.
