100 years ago, exactly to the day, on November 18, 1922, the French writer Marcel Proust died at the age of 51. A century after his death, it is clear that the author of the monumental work “In Search of Lost Time” has never been so much commented on, translated, and honored. In France, like the exhibition “The factory of the work” at the BNF in Paris and internationally, as evidenced by the unpublished anthology “Proust-World, When foreign writers read Proust”.
Interview with Blanche Cerquiglini
Proust-Monde, when foreign writers read Proust is an unpublished anthology of 83 texts, including twenty translated for the first time, chosen, presented and commented on by Blanche Cerquiglini, Antoine Ginésy, Étienne Sauthier, Guillaume Lefer and Nicolas Bailly.
“A century after his death, Proust has never been so read, translated, commented on. Why him? Why is this author who seems so French known and recognized worldwide? To understand him, we have chosen to shift our gaze, by bringing together eighty-three texts by foreign authors who have read Proust, in French or in translation, who have admired or envied him, who have been inspired by him or who have not understood him, all around the globe. Why them? Because their reading conditions are not the same as those of a Frenchman. They have to adapt the author to their own context of reference, to a totally different geographical and linguistic environment. While letting themselves themselves uproot and project towards a world far from their own. From Japan to Brazil, from China to Catalonia, Proust is read everywhere, in all languages. The analyzes and testimonies brought together here create new perspectives on Proust’s work: from new interpretations, new questions, new pleasures of reading. With twenty texts translated for the first time into French.” (Presentation of the Classic Folio collection at Gallimard)
Reportage : Visit of the exhibition “Marcel Proust, the factory of the work” currently at the BNF in Paris with two of the curators: Nathalie Mauriac Dyer and Antoine Compagnon of the French Academy.
Bibliography of other books also mentioned in the show: