“The Most Important Writer for Me”: Lydia Ginzburg on Marcel Proust

Marcel Proust's “In Search of Lost Time” had a very significant and lasting influence on both the thinking artistic practice Lydia Ginzburg. It is no coincidence that legend her attempt to write “Proustian” novel proved so enduring. No less important was problem “big text,” duration created by narrative's duration. However, “removal” “fictitiousness” “fiction” narrative — possibility viewing simultaneously in context fiction documentary main one. If late 1920s, reaction connected mainly with questions applicability, assimilation techniques principles work construction. From turn 20th–30th, understanding linked experience Proust not only as new but also making possible what already impossible framework previous literature, way modelling self. In this essay, we limit ourselves one aspect enormous theme Ginzburg, namely, determine Ginzburg saw content significance writer-what determined constant return thought his novel. our view, practice, sees realized primary purpose literature: interpretation “human experience, social mental,” finding sphere where “now” connection words things possible, i.e. literature can find reality.