It is one of the many merits of this admirable biography of Proust's mother that it invites one to return to the novel with perhaps a fuller understanding of Proust's heredity, hinterland, and upbringing. . . . This fascinating book is full of interesting social and cultural observation, of information about French Jewish life, the position of Jews in society and, of course, the Dreyfus case. But it is essentially a study of one of the most remarkable and fruitful of mother-son relationships. As such it is a book that every Proustian will want to read.
Today the crime novelist has one advantage denied to writers of 'straight' or 'literary' novels. Unlike them he can range over all levels of society,… - Allan Massie
Today the crime novelist has one advantage denied to writers of 'straight' or 'literary' novels. Unlike them he can range over all levels of society,…
- Allan Massie
Blunders are an inescapable feature of war, because choice in military affairs lies generally between the bad and the worse. - Allan Massie
Blunders are an inescapable feature of war, because choice in military affairs lies generally between the bad and the worse.
All a writer's characters are imaginary, no matter whether they are based on real people or not. They are people as one imagines them to be. - Allan Massie
All a writer's characters are imaginary, no matter whether they are based on real people or not. They are people as one imagines them to be.
We are responsible for actions performed in response to circumstances for which we are not responsible. - Allan Massie
We are responsible for actions performed in response to circumstances for which we are not responsible.
Do you know what a soldier is, young man? He's the chap who makes it possible for civilized folk to despise war. - Allan Massie
Do you know what a soldier is, young man? He's the chap who makes it possible for civilized folk to despise war.
It is one of the many merits of this admirable biography of Proust's mother that it invites one to return to the novel with perhaps a fuller understa… - Allan Massie
It is one of the many merits of this admirable biography of Proust's mother that it invites one to return to the novel with perhaps a fuller understa…
Login to join the discussion
Login to join the discussion