Swann's Way Read-along, Week 6

Swann (is having a bad time) in love, part 2

Hi friends,

First of all, a big thank you to Zoë, Jacob, and Phillip for yesterday’s fabulous Proust discussion!! There is simply nothing better than thinking together over spritzes on a Sunday afternoon. I came away with so many new insights and questions, and it made me so excited to keep trucking along through these next final two weeks.

heaven!

Our general consensus was that we’ve been having a lot more fun than we expected to, and I hope everyone else is too! “Swann in Love” has been especially ridiculous. I understand now why this is one of the only sections that have been adapted into a movie, and which I think I will need to watch for the sake of Jeremy Irons’ moustache alone:

Consider this officially added to the syllabus as optional supplementary viewing (Swann in Love, 1984)

Recap:

A lot of drama in Swann’s world this week! Swann’s downfall in the eyes of the Verdurins begins when Odette invites an acquaintance of his, the Comte de Forcheville, into their little group. He immediately suspects them of having an affair, so he does what every jealous man who claims he’s not jealous does, and behaves like a pompous ass. This offends the Verdurins so much that they stop inviting him, which only worsens his crash-out when he no longer has daily public access to Odette. Further spiraling and bad behavior ensues, including but not limited to light stalking and reading her mail. The writing seems to be on the wall, and yet, he can’t stop sending her money! Tale as old as time.