MARCEL PROUST: A Biography

by Richard H. Barker ‧ RELEASE DATE: Oct. 31, 1958

Without contesting the accuracy of the facts, this is as unsympathetic and unperceptive biography of Proust as could be imagined. It is not only that it emphasizes his already well- established inversion, neuroticism, snobbishness, and personal uncleanliness, or that it totally neglects what was apparent to many others- his warmth, gentleness, and insight. Its major lacuna is the author's refusal to recognize the process of creative genius. He questions Proust's theory of ""involuntary memory""- the recall of long burled portions of the mind, and tags it a ""literary hoax"". The interpretation in drawn chiefly from Proust's letters- but any serious reader of the novelist would do better to return to the original source. It is difficult to say what has motivated Dr. Barker bias, but it leads only- in this reader's opinion- to a great misjudgment.

Pub Date: Oct. 31, 1958

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Criterion

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 1958

Categories: NONFICTION