In Search of Lost Time, Volume 1: Swann's Way

So, after a long week - I've finally got to finishing the first volume of what is considered, the longest book ever written. It is quite depressing reading on the kindle - seeing the percentage stay the same for so long. When you're finally 100 pages through - it moves to 3%. Depressing as Hell. But, the book isn't all bad - I could do without the philosophy lessons though. The imbalance of the sexes and the character of Gilberte Swann are the best things about this volume. Only 11 left to go... 

Characters:

As I was saying, Gilberte Swann is the best character. He is an arrogant aristocrat who seems to be not only the perfect critique of the aristocratic world. But, also the character that all the philosophy lessons go up against. These philosophy lessons are (I believe) meant to counter Gilberte's character and therefore, ensure that the reader does not fully understand why he's so arrogant. Quite quintessentially three-dimensional and purposefully pretentious of Proust, I think. Pretty good. 

Themes:

Again, the imbalance of the sexes. Male and Female are always critiqued as being polar opposites of each other - but, in this novel, one is clearly lower than the other. Not necessarily the opposite - just not as important. The females are made to look two dimensional, thus concentrating on their face-value importance. Quite a modern theme for such an old novel (we're talking early 1900s, not that old, but old enough). 

Storyline:

Boy, does this storyline go on forever...

Well, in the beginning we are introduced to our narrator going to sleep early. But, as the storyline unravels, we get a constant click of aristocratic guilt - and then you figure out why sleeping is so important. Everything that is said by the narrator and directly to the reader holds some importance that must be figured out. It's quite fun actually... 

Verdict:

I give this an 8/9

100% for characters: I really thought that Gilberte Swann was a pretty good idea for a character. It must've required Proust to intricately link every part of Swann's existence to counter a philosophical value of some kind. 

100% for themes: I always love someone's take on sex imbalances. 

2/3 for storyline: Only because Proust's novel could rival Dickens on descriptive length.