Clarifying The Reader's View

“Every reader finds himself. The writer's work is merely a kind of optical instrument that makes it possible for the reader to discern what, without this book, he would perhaps never have seen in himself.” – Marcel Proust

Proust, a French novelist, critic, and essayist, was born on this date in 1871 and is considered by critics and writers from around the world as one of the most influential authors of the 20^th century.  Best known for his monumental novel À la recherche du temps perdu (In Search of Lost Time and earlier rendered as Remembrance of Things Past), the massive work was published in 7 parts over a 14-year period in the 19-teens and 1920s. 

Despite having an imperfect command of English, Proust also was known for his translation and biographical studies of English art critic and writer John Ruskin.  He created a highly successful and well-received group translation effort to translate Ruskin’s works into French.  When questioned about the technique, he said, “I don’t claim to know English; I claim to know Ruskin.” 

 “Only through art,” he said, “can we emerge from ourselves and know what another person sees.”

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