MARCEL PROUST'S SEARCH FOR LOST TIME

The background to Marcel Proust and his great novel

For thirteen years, between 1909 and 1922, Marcel Proust locked himself in his apartment and wrote what is probably the longest novel ever written, 'A la Recherche du Temps Perdu'. Originally translated into English as Remembrance of Things Past, it is now more correctly translated as In Search of Lost Time.

Generally accepted as one the greatest novels in literature it was immediately translated into most major languages. Unfortunately, partly because of its length, it is seldom read today and has a reputation for being 'difficult' and for being too serious or boring. This is far from the truth. Proust's novel is extremely funny and is filled with the most wonderful and entertaining characters. The links on the left of this page describe further aspects of this magnificent writer and his world.