Comments on: The Sweet Cheat Gone

By: Belle Waring

Belle Waring — Wed, 14 Apr 2004 03:56:25 +0000

Achilles Tatius’ book has been consistently in circulation in some form and was always quite popular. First printed edition was 1601. It’s a pretty good read, actually.

By: Andy

Andy — Tue, 13 Apr 2004 18:19:34 +0000

Oh, yes—-the original point of your post. Ahem. I think you’re probably right, for the reasons that you state (why not a car wreck, etc.). It’s hard to think that something that central to the plot was accidental on Proust’s part. Someone with access to a serious academic library (not me, alas) should look in a Proust commentary to see whether this has been picked up on. Even without any French, “Achilles Tatius” should be easy enough to find. Any notion, btw, whether A.T. has been available since the Renaissance or is a more recently discovered text?

By: bob mcmanus

bob mcmanus — Tue, 13 Apr 2004 07:19:25 +0000

I enjoyed Proust long ago when I read it, especially the Albertine book, believe it or not. But one of the problems I had, besides a lack of structure, was an obvious coyness and confusion about gender and homosexuality. It was like he was trying to disguise his lovers as women, but couldn’t quite manage it. Not that I really understand gays or women, but it never felt like I was looking at either one in his characters. I do not have this problem with Tennesse Williams or Truman Capote. I also felt much of the humor was cruel or sad.

By: Belle Waring

Belle Waring — Tue, 13 Apr 2004 06:15:53 +0000

Andy—I like the choose your own adventure idea. (If you decide to become part of the Verdurins’ clique, turn to page 1,270.) And thanks for commenting on my post, you guys; I was worried it might die commentless. But what do you think, is it plausibly an allusion that signals Proust’s homosexuality to the knowing, or just a big coincidence?

By: Andy Lowry

Andy Lowry — Tue, 13 Apr 2004 00:48:18 +0000

I’m unclear whether Belle is reading the original French, an old Scott Moncrieff translation, or none of the above, but I’d be curious to find out—-I’m reading Proust for the 2d time, in the new Penguin translations. Btw, it seems a little odd to read the first 1/7 of a work and then say there’s no discernible plot. Well, not yet there ain’t. Not that it ever gets very much of one. (Imagine one of those choose-your-adventure books, the ultimate in plot-driven “writing,” that’s based on Proust. “If you decide to contemplate the hawthorns further, turn to page 1,688. If you go with Bloch to hear La Berma, turn to page 2,321.”)

By: Abiola Lapite

Abiola Lapite — Mon, 12 Apr 2004 20:07:13 +0000

“I mean, I only read the Swann’s Way part” “And to think that I wanted to die for a woman who wasn’t even my type!” … Seriously, though, you’re missing the best parts if you stopped at Swann’s Way. Within a Budding Grove and the Guermantes Way are excellent reads in their own right, arguably even better than the first volume. Just wait till you encounter the Marquis de Norpois and Professor Cottard! If these two don’t have you reeling with laughter, nothing will.

By: bob mcmanus

bob mcmanus — Mon, 12 Apr 2004 17:15:09 +0000

Can’t help you with your question, but as I read your material on Proust’s romantic history and his lover’s death, an image came to mind: Wasn’t there a scene, I think in the last book, involving an airplane and a ruined Gothic chapel? Perhaps even on a promontory of a coast?

By: John Isbell

John Isbell — Mon, 12 Apr 2004 14:35:57 +0000

You wonder what would have happened if he’d had that second madeleine. BTW there are still typos, mainly in the Proust.

By: Matt

Matt — Mon, 12 Apr 2004 13:50:44 +0000

“Warning: Contains Remembrance of Things Past plot spoilers!” Wait a minute- you mean there’s a plot in the book? I mean, I only read the Swann’s Way part, but, while I enjoyed it very much, I could not detect anything looking like a plot. I guess I’ll have to read the rest.