The Captive by Marcel Proust


finished 11/8 ......... classic French (tr.) .......... rating 9

This wasn't my favorite of the 6 volume / 7 book set but it was very good. Marcel keeps Albertine at his house in Paris. He is extremely jealous to the point of obsession and paranoia. Proust examines all the subtle ramifications of this. Marcel buys Albertine beautiful gowns and jewelry but he doesn't allow her much freedom because he's so scared she'll run out and meet her old lovers (women). During the course of the book, however, Bergotte, the famous author dies and that passage is totally beautiful - perhaps the best in the whole series. The Princess Sherbatoff also dies.

And Proust examines art, music and literature to some length. The foibles and fickle nature of society is detailed with the Guermantes losing prestige and the Verdurin's increases . There is some continued mention of the Dreyfus case.

Charlus is another focus of The Captive. He is in love with Marcel and raises him in society after which Marcel viscously turns on his promoter. Again, examination of the foibles of love, jealousy, possession, etc.

Who is captive here? Is it Albertine, Marcel or Charlus? All couples split up.

Posted: Sat - November 8, 2008 at 09:19 AM        

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