Reading Days

Marcel Proust

2024년 5월 · Marchenhaus Press

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Originally composed as the preface to Proust's 1906 translation of John Ruskin's Sesame and Lilies, Journées de lecture ("Days of Reading") was later republished in the collection Pastiches et Mélanges (1919) and subsequently as a standalone text. While ostensibly an introduction to Ruskin's work on reading and life, the essay serves as a significant early articulation of Proust's own evolving aesthetic philosophy. It engages critically with Ruskin's moralistic view of reading as a form of virtuous instruction, proposing instead a more introspective and subjective conception. Proust argues that the true value of reading lies not in the passive absorption of an author's doctrine, but in its unique capacity to act as a catalyst for the reader's own deepest thoughts and memories, a form of "spiritual exercise" that stimulates the inner life.

The essay develops key Proustian themes concerning the nature of time, memory, and the relationship between solitude, the self, and the external world. Proust elevates reading as an activity uniquely suited to fostering a state of profound mental receptivity and solitude, contrasting it sharply with the superficial distractions of social life. He famously describes the ideal reading environment – particularly the quiet atmosphere of childhood holidays – as a space where the mind, freed from immediate concerns, can achieve a heightened state of awareness and reflection. While not yet employing the fully developed concept of involuntary memory, Journées de lecture lays crucial groundwork for Proust's later ideas about the creative process, emphasizing the transformative power of introspection and the subjective resonance triggered by external stimuli, positioning reading as a privileged gateway to the deeper self.

This critical reader’s edition presents a modern translation of the original manuscript, crafted for the contemporary reader with lucid language and streamlined sentences that illuminate Proust’s intricate French syntax and period‑specific allusions. Supplementary material enriches the text with autobiographical, historical, and linguistic context, including an afterword by the translator on Proust’s personal history, cultural impact, and intellectual legacy, an index of the philosophical concepts he weaves—highlighting his explorations of memory, time, and the influence of Henri Bergson—a comprehensive chronological list of his published writings, and a detailed timeline of his life, emphasizing the friendships and social circles that shaped his artistic vision.

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Marcel Proust (1871-1922) was a French writer best known for his monumental work À la recherche du temps perdu (In Search of Lost Time), a seven-part novel exploring memory, time, and identity. Through intricate narrative techniques, including the stream of consciousness, Proust delves into the psychological depths of his characters, examining how past experiences and sensory impressions shape human identity. His work is notable for its meticulous detail, lyrical prose, and the exploration of themes like love, jealousy, and social class. Prousts concept of involuntary memory, famously illustrated by the episode of the madeleine, revolutionized narrative structure and has had a lasting impact on literature. Often regarded as one of the greatest novelists of the 20th century, Proust's work has influenced countless writers and remains a cornerstone of modern literature, celebrated for its profound insights into human consciousness and the passage of time.