Reading Proust's In Search of Lost Time in 2014 discussion

I've added some extra bookshelves to the group homepage. No doubt others will have their own favourite books that they want added, or want to query or discuss the books already added, so this is the place to discuss any queries about the bookshelves and the books on them.

Thanks, Jonathan! Some are interesting! Hopefully I can find them in Portuguese translations.

Renato, do you need Portuguese translations? Your English appears flawless. That said, I'm betting that the translations into other romance languages flow better than the English.

By the way, I just received yesterday in the mail the French biography of Proust by Jean-Yves Tadié. Looks good, but big, more than 800 pages. I just noticed as I started to write this message that there's an ominous 'I' after Proust's name. And sure enough, this volume only takes us to 1906! Oh well, I won't turn to it until I'm done the novel. I was thinking that I'd be done by July. But The Prisoner is moving along very slowly, and now I'm thinking August, or maybe even September.

Stephen wrote: "Renato, do you need Portuguese translations? Your English appears flawless. That said, I'm betting that the translations into other romance languages flow better than the English."

Ah, thanks! :) I can read in English, but I'm always afraid to tackle a whole book to be honest. So, if it's available in Portuguese, I'll definitely pick it in my native tongue. I am having problems though to find some books I really wanna read, like Middlemarch, To Kill A Mockingbird, The Tale Of Genji... maybe someday I'll give my English the real test trying one of them, haha

Renato: I agree with Stephen - your English seems impeccable. If I were in your situation I'd try reading a non-fiction book first.

I keep meaning to learn French but never quite get round to it.

Stephen: are you reading ISOLT in French?

Jonathan: good idea! I do think it makes sense starting with a non-fiction book! I'll look into one of those Dreyfus Affair books you shelved as I'm already interested on the subject! Did you read any of those?

Renato, try my novel, The Boost! It's coming out on Tuesday. (If you look at links on my blog, TheNumerati.net, you'll see it's not exactly Proustian. I have non fiction books, too. but I'm not plugging them now. Jonathan, yes, I'm reading INOLT in French. It's a huge part of the fun for me. It's actually easier than some of the more modern and slangy French literature.

Renato wrote: "Jonathan: good idea! I do think it makes sense starting with a non-fiction book! I'll look into one of those Dreyfus Affair books you shelved as I'm already interested on the subject! Did you read ..."

I haven't read either of the Dreyfus books yet but was veering towards the Piers Paul Read one if I do. I was thinking of starting it the other day but I'm just about to start the 900 page epic Life and Fate as part of another group read. If I wasn't reading that book also I probably would have started the Dreyfus book...I'm no good at rushing my reading.

I did think about having the Dreyfus book set up as an additional read for the group but it would probably be stretching everyone's time and patience I feel. But if enough people were interested we could do that.

Stephen: I'll definitely take a look at The Boost, thanks!

Jonathan: I'm interested in having the Dreyfus book as an addition read for the group, but I'm not sure more people would be up for it... maybe we could set up a poll to find out?

Renato wrote: "Jonathan: I'm interested in having the Dreyfus book as an addition read for the group, but I'm not sure more people would be up for it... maybe we could set up a poll to find out?"

Good idea Renato. No reason why we can't see how others feel about it.