Marcel Proust

Novelist, critic, and essayist

Marcel Proust was a French novelist, critic, and essayist, best known for his monumental work, In Search of Lost Time. Marcel was born in Auteuil, Paris in 1871 and lived most of his life in Paris, although he also traveled to England, Italy, Germany, and London during his life. Proust was highly educated and cultured, speaking several languages fluently, and of course being an expert literator. He was a member of the French Academy, the Goncourt Academy, and the French Pastry Academy. He began writing short stories at the age of 21 and by his late thirties had developed a formidable body of work. In Search of Lost Time, sometimes known as Remembrance of Things Past, is considered to be his masterpiece. The story follows a man's attempt to recapture the past, as well as his struggles with death, memory, and time. The novel is divided into seven parts and takes place mainly in Paris, though a few episodes occur in other cities. The novel has been praised for its use of symbolism and its study of human behavior. It has also been called a "psychoanalytical masterpiece." Proust died in 1922, leaving behind an enduring legacy of his innovative use of the written word. His unique and often beautiful descriptions of people, places, and experiences have left a lasting impression on readers.