Opulent, Beautiful, Intoxicating, Infuriating, Exquisite

Content Note: Obsessive, Controlling Partner and Red Flag behaviour

One of the most opulently beautiful, intoxicating, infuriating, and frighteningly human things I have ever had the pleasure of reading!

I was not expecting the gorgeous and gay reminiscing to turn into romance by way of psychological thriller, but I went from absolutely bathing in the voluptuous and verbose language and the apotheosis of steeples of youth able to leave one to stare, bleary eyed, at any tower in heartaching nostalgia, letting the rich, sonouros, silky language wash over me like a noise bath of exquisite language, to absolutely gagged, gooped, and tearing my hair out at the frustrating and, frankly, genuinely disturbing thoughts and actions of Swann, and the technicolour nightmare of his infatuation and relationship. But, most of all I was flabbergasted and hooked!

Communication is key guys, gals, and non-binary!

Honestly, Odette deserves more recognition for inventing findomming. We stan a bisexual queen, especially during Pride! Speaking of, the terrified fascination with lesbians and absolute obsession and fixation on women, coupled with the discomforture of masculinity that pervades this book, do speak to the theory another trans woman I know who adores Proust, that he could have been an egg. I don't necessarily agree with making assertions of someone else's identity, but I will say that reading this as a trans femme does hit different.

I really don't know what else to say about this, beyond I had no idea what to expect and even when I was devouring it my expectations were upended. I absolutely need to to read more Proust and In Search of Lost Time, which I think I will have as a palette cleanser between the all the everything I have to catch up on and get into.

This truly was one of the most singular and beautiful things I've read and the Simon Vance narration was absolutely spectacular. I don't think it could have been more perfect and I don't think I would have been able to get through this beast with my ADHD and reading capacity, if not for the audiobook. A cursory glance does not reveal Vance having done the other volumes, which I truly hope is not the case.

I am already in love with Proust and absolutely indebted to my friend for recommending this. It's truly wild just how much we never get to experience without some kind of exposure to it. It's depressing just how poor so much education is on literature and how impenetrable and ruined so many beautiful things are by shitty practices and circumstances.

Beautiful book is beautiful.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Proust at a gallop

This is Proust at a gallop. Simon Vance has a pleasant voice and articulates beautifully, but reads far too fast. No time to relish the words or enjoy the thought; the narrative has already left me behind. Don't buy this version. It's exhausting.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

6 people found this helpful