The answer to your first question is yes - three times and I always liked it but somehow never continued with it. This one looks so interesting and YES YES YES I would like a video about your favorite Manga.

@BenjaminMcEvoy

2 жыл бұрын

You're in fine company, Örn! I think most people who come to Proust do so in stops and starts over the long term. And I'm thrilled you're interested in seeing some manga - I can't wait to do that video :)

Looking fwd to "meeting " Proust via grafik novel, b/c he's eluded me for decades. I'll report back soon.

You always know to surprise, Benjamin. Now a graphic novel based on Proust’s masterpiece. I remember the days I loved to read comic books galore, at night with a torch under the blanket as reading comics wasn’t seen as an appropriate thing to do generally and during my supposed hours of night sleep even less. All kinds of graphic novels and comic books often again and again, don’t even remember all the titles and authors. Certainly Carl Barks’s “Donald Duck”stories especially in the splendid translation into German by the late Erika Fuchs (don’t pronounce her surname in English, please), Peanuts, Mafalda, Robert Crumb, Hal Foster’s “Prince Valiant”, as a boy in Britain in the 70ties some English Great War comics making fun of us Germans. One book I’ve kept and just these days thought to blow the dust of it: “Little Nemo”, fantastic dream stories, as I’m currently interested in dreams a lot. Although I tried Welsh rarebits and doubt their hallucinogenic potential. Your enthusiasm almost got me to buy this graphic novel, the drawings reminding me of another favourite of mine, the “Tintin” series by Hergé. But no, not now. First the original which I enjoy so much without any shortcuts.

@BenjaminMcEvoy

2 жыл бұрын

Ah, yes, it reminds me of the wonderful Tintin too! And I used to read the Donald Duck comics when I was living in Vienna. I picked them up whilst waiting at Billa's checkout :) As a young boy growing up in England, I used to collect the Beano and the Dandy. Whenever my father came back from America he would bring Mad magazine with him - which I loved. Thank you for sharing! And I fully support your decision to stay with the original until completion first ;)

You should definitely do a video on your favorite manga

@BenjaminMcEvoy

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you, Robert! Will do :)

Hi Ben, I started reading Swann's Way last week. I listened to your video many times before, so I already had some anticipation about the pace, but I was surprised to find myself really enjoying it, and I actually had to read the first passage a few times before I could move on. I am reading other novels as well and I read them a bit too fast, I think, they're plot-driven and I just want to binge them 😅. I set time for Proust before bed, and I feel like it calms me down after a busy day. Every time I pick it up I can continue or reread the previous passage and think about it, not feeling discouraged at all. Funnily enough, I have better sleep now after a month of bad slumber.

I have both of those. They're beautiful accompaniments to the book I love the city lights at night, the seas and skies. I'm really hoping the rest of the volumes are published too. I wonder if you've seen The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists and No Surrender graphic novels by Scarlett and Sophie Rickard. They are absolutely gorgeous

I have every single book published aabout Proust and love the graphic novels

Big fan of Proust and will buy that as well , please do episode on modern literature like independent people , etc

I saw this at my local used bookstore this week. I passed on it, but decided to go back and get it before finding your video. Fortunately there were 3 copies so it should still be available this week.

Wow! This is fabulous! I think I NEED to get this. Arrgghh Combray is my favourite bit..it is so beautiful. I love graphic novels. Shaun Tan (especially The Arrival) is my favourite..as with Maus and the excellent books by Scott McCloud which I think say a lot more than just Understanding Comics. I wrote and illustrated a few little books like this once. It was one of the most fun things I have done with drawing and art.

@BenjaminMcEvoy

2 жыл бұрын

I do love Combray too. The pacing and the luxurious prose take me to another world. That's so cool that you're able to do this style of art too, Caroline. I think it's beautiful. And thank you for the recommendation of Shaun Tan - this one looks incredible, so I've just ordered the hardback version. Scott McCloud's work and Maus are both tremendous. I was always a huge fan of Jeff Lemire's stuff. His art style and his stories are wonderful - particularly Descender, Sweet Tooth, Trilium, and Black Hammer. I've tried to draw and paint many times, but, alas, it does not come too easily to me. I'm in awe of anyone who can do it :)

How nice to read you’re paying a visit to Illiers-Combray! Should you call at No 6 please remember to send aunt Léonie my kindest regards!

@BenjaminMcEvoy

2 жыл бұрын

Haha I certainly shall :)

This may be an unpopular opinion but I would love so much if you did a series on the Bible in the book club, I’m just now reading it for the first time and I love how you break things down.

@BenjaminMcEvoy

2 жыл бұрын

That's a great idea for a series, Kayla. Thank you so much for the recommendation. I actually think that would be rather popular one. It would certainly be one that I enjoy doing. I've being putting together lectures on Job and Ecclesiastes for a little while, so I think we definitely will make it into a series :)

I always tell my friends is rhat if you can get threw the overture which is immsely difficult then Combray is magnificent. My friend Victor ignored my advice to jump straight into Combray and read the entire novel

This is wonderful. I’ve read the first 3 books. Eventually I’ll get to the others. I have the same exact set! Reading Proust is like meditating. You realize quickly how you take the smallest details for granted. Thank you for an informative video.

@BenjaminMcEvoy

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you, Grace :) Reading Proust definitely is like meditating. You're so right. I get something rather magical and life-sustaining from his prose!

@gracefitzgerald2227

2 жыл бұрын

@@BenjaminMcEvoy Thank you for the reply. I just received my new illustrated copy after viewing your video! 😀 It is beautiful.

@BenjaminMcEvoy

2 жыл бұрын

@@gracefitzgerald2227 It's so beautiful. I'm looking forward to the next volume :)

This is the book I'm reading right now. I'm close to the end and I don't know what to do when It will be finished. It took me 5 months to read it,he has been like an intimate friend for all this time and I'm going to miss him. Time regained was my favorite part

@BenjaminMcEvoy

2 жыл бұрын

Wow. Thank you for sharing your experience. I can feel the love you have for this masterpiece. 5 months is a quick pace - would you reread any of it at some point? I completely relate to feeling as though he is an intimate friend. Funnily enough, I see quite a bit of myself in the book.

Can’t help but got myself a copy already!

@BenjaminMcEvoy

2 жыл бұрын

That's so awesome! Let me know what you think of it :)

what do you think about graphic novel versions of classic books for kids? I recently got 'the hobbit' as a graphic novel which I really liked for my nephew, who is six and he seems to have liked it too. I learnt to read thanks to Asterix comics when I was younger, and think they can really support someone who has issues reading early on - as pictures can help get the story and intend across.

@BenjaminMcEvoy

2 жыл бұрын

I've got a couple myself, including the Les Misérables one. I personally love comics, but I think they could do a better job with the ones retelling the classic stories. Then again, if a child is loving them, and it leads to more reading, I think that can only be a good thing :)

I love when works (especially older works) are reimagined and appropriated artistically for newer audiences. These hybrid forms made some of the most dense and erudite works easily accessible to engage with, especially as modern audiences are becoming more and more visual! I have a question; have you considered doing a review on Joyce's "Dubliners", especially on "The Dead"? If so, what are your thoughts on his work? I think it is brilliant. =)

@BenjaminMcEvoy

2 жыл бұрын

It's great, isn't it? :) Making these dense works more accessible is applaudable. Ah, Joyce - yes, absolutely, I'm currently putting together a lecture on 'Eveline' and 'The Dead' from Dubliners for the book club - part of a series on the Modern short story. We'll also be doing a group read of Ulysses this time next year. I think Joyce is incredibly inventive and few writers can contend with his ingenuity and his creativity with language. He is almost completely original, and essentially broke the novel. If one had to read just two authors of the 20th century, it would be Joyce and Proust - hands down :) I fell in love with his work when I was a teenager and I enjoy the struggle today!

@sath_b

2 жыл бұрын

@@BenjaminMcEvoy Is that for Hardcore Literature? Sounds exciting!

@BenjaminMcEvoy

2 жыл бұрын

@@sath_b it is indeed :)

@TheJaszmin

Жыл бұрын

@@BenjaminMcEvoy I've read all of Joyce and Proust.

Yeah do make a video on your favourite mangas of all time that would be great.

@BenjaminMcEvoy

2 жыл бұрын

Awesome :) Will do!

I really like graphic novels and manga because I don't have any imagination. All I get is blackness as I have aphantasia. It helps me a lot. It doesn't stop me enjoying literature but having both the book and graphic novel is perfect for someone like me.

@BenjaminMcEvoy

2 жыл бұрын

I must admit I needed to look up the word 'aphantasia'. That must come with a lot of challenges! But it's great that graphic novels help with your visualisation. Thank you for sharing your love of the medium, Charlotte :)

@charlotte3778

2 жыл бұрын

@@BenjaminMcEvoy It can be a challenge for certain. I struggle to recognise people's faces unless I see them very regularly for example and recalling scenes from books is almost impossible for me because I have no visual cues to trigger memories. It's the worst when trying to get or give directions because I can't see it. So I get lost a lot. Bizarrely I am still able to be very creative and I connect with literature on an emotional level mainly and you will often find me sobbing over a book. I also experience them audibly. Every character has a different and very strong voice in my head and they are reading the story to me. I don't think I'd change it though. I just experience literature differently and that's ok with me.

Hey Ben. I really enjoy your content. I was wondering if you might be considering making videos about writing. It’d be interesting to hear your thoughts/see your process. It’s not often you get to see behind the curtain and learn how one writes effectively. I know it’s quite a vulnerable thing to put out, though.

@ajiththomas2465

2 жыл бұрын

I'd also be interested in seeing some writing videos as well. You could also check out Benjamin's website blog (link in description). You'll find quite a few blog posts there about writing and reading.

@BenjaminMcEvoy

2 жыл бұрын

Hey Talhah :) I certainly can do some more of that. You're right that it can be a vulnerable topic, but a great one to go deep into. Thank you for the request!

@BenjaminMcEvoy

2 жыл бұрын

@@ajiththomas2465 Thank you, Ajith :) I used to write a lot about the writing process, but it's been quite a while since I've spoken about it. I'll put some videos together about what my writing looks like recently!

@ajiththomas2465

2 жыл бұрын

@@BenjaminMcEvoy Sounds great. It would be nice to see some of your current work and see you break down the process from how you came up with the ideas and how you iterated on them through drafts. I first learned about copywork from your video and blog post about it but I could never really figure out HOW exactly to do it. I knew WHAT it was and the WHY for it but not HOW to do it. It's only when I stumbled upon a great video from Diane Callahan that I was able to learn how to do copywork in 3 easy steps, which helped a lot. I recommend checking out that video just search "copywork" and you'll find it pretty easily. If I were to make a suggestion to help your future writing videos, I'd probably emphasize more on providing practical steps. Like, sometimes it feels like writing tips videos in general are a bit more abstract than they are concrete so it would probably help quite a bit if the abstract theory beneath writing tips was paired with concrete practical step-by-step exercises so people can put the tips into action. Do you get what I mean?

@talhahchaudri7065

2 жыл бұрын

@@BenjaminMcEvoy thanks, Ben ;)

Hey Ben, I know it’s a little late (just found your channel) but I’d love learn what your favorite mangas are. If you do ever see this.

I read Remembrance of Things Past long ago in the sixties at college. It was not a favorite and whatever it was, it was not several volumes. I do like pretty maps of Paris.

@BenjaminMcEvoy

2 жыл бұрын

I would be so curious to know how the colleges are/were teaching Proust. I've heard some of them get their students reading the whole thing in one semester!

🥰

Interesting book. I love the artwork. It is a shame that people don't like the Combray section as I adored it. To skip it will mean that you don't know who Marcel is. His environment and emotions are at the heart of who he becomes.