The Haunting Truth Behind Frances Literary Legend Marcel Proust

Marcel Proust (1871–1922) is one of France’s greatest literary legends, world-famous for his monumental novel À la recherche du temps perdu (In Search of Lost Time), but there’s a sad truth behind its world-breaking records. Marcel Proust’s masterpiece of a novel À la recherche du temps perdu stands out in literary history for its epic length, with over 1.5 million words spilling out across 3000-4000 pages, depending on the edition. The work charts the narrator’s thoughtful recollections of childhood and transition into adulthood in the late 19th century to early 20th century aristocratic France, all the while musing over the loss of meaning in a modernising world.

Not only does this title hold the world record for the longest novel ever published, but it also holds the record for the longest single literary sentence. Believe it or not, but one of these sentences splurges out over a ridiculously long 847 words.

However, there’s a sad truth behind this incredible feat. Proust was subjected to regular, severe attacks of asthma throughout his life. His very first severe attack came when he was just aged nine, walking in the Bois de Boulogne of Paris. Not only did his asthma come to shape his daily rhythms of productivity as a writer, prompting him to sleep during the day and work at night, but this health condition also inspired his creativity and idiosyncratic style in quite a unique way.

For the last three years of his life, the asthma-plagued novelist could barely leave his bedroom. Bed-bound at 44 rue Hamelin in Paris, he did not let this illness stop him. He worked all night and rested all day to become a literary hero with an incredible legacy to leave behind. The final draft of the novel was published in France between 1913 and 1927, over seven lengthy volumes.

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Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

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