Within A Budding Grove

Good morning 16th Arrondissementers! Gossip Girl here with all the latest. Marcel and his grandmother arrived in style for a summer seaside holiday in Balbec. But what about his romance with Gilberte? Looks like it's as dead as last summer's pantaloon fad.

Too bad Marcel is so frequently sick in his room; he's missing out on grand opportunities to see and be seen on the front, especially in regards to a band of rich and pretty girls. But oh, someone spied him visiting the great painter Elstir in his studio. And we know Elstir is friendly with Albertine, Andree, Rosamunde and the others.

Meanwhile that cad Bloch continues his social climb despite being of lower class than both Marcel and none other than Robert de St. Loup. He slyly stabs each in the back, insinuating the other. Best be careful, B, otherwise you'll be out of favor at Rivebelle.

So, by the end of the summer, who will Marcel pick-- the modest and thoughtful Andree? Or the frivolous yet pretty Albertine? Best read Within A Budding Grove by Marcel Proust to find out...I'll never tell.

xoxo,

Gossip Girl

Swann's Way and Chocolate and Zucchini

Over four years ago I bought an old hardback of Proust's Swann's Way , the first volume of his Remembrance of Things Past. I thought it would be one of those epics like War and Peace or Ulysses that I could be proud to say I'd read. I'd read it curled on the sofa on a winter afternoon, with tea and cookies by my side. However I let it langour and collect dust on my shelf and finally made a New Year's Resolution to read it. Since that resolution was in 2004, I did my best to get it read before the New Year 2008. Most of the reading was in the SeaTac Airport, and subsequent flight from Seattle to Boston. I conspicuously made my pretentious reading known to my row mates, especially when the pilot kept updating us with the score to the Pats game (only in Boston, only in Boston...).

Besides being known for his lengthy descriptions, Proust is probably best known for his love of madeleines, the small French cookie. Fortunately I didn't have to delve in and wait until volume 3 or something-- the description took place before page 60 in the 600 page book! And because no one wants to read me describing his descriptions, I will instead describe my own attempt to make a delightful madeleine.
The recipe I used (after special ordering a madeleine pan from Amazon.com) was from Clotilde Dusoulier's Chocolate and Zucchini cookbook, based on her delightful blog. I like to think of Ms. Dusoulier as Proust's culinary heir to Paris; her recipes are classic yet updated and all have a story to tell, as she has her own cast of characters, much like narrator Marcel, and his friends and neighbors, in Swann's Way. The recipe I used was for savory Wanut, Pear and Rocquefort Madeleines. It was quick and easy, but since I chowed down on an appetizer of cheese and crackers, followed by an entree of baked mac n cheese, I wasn't so hungry when they came out of the oven. But the cats were! I had one and confirmed that once I am not so stuffed (in a few hours hence), they will taste wonderful.

In all earnestness, Swann's Way really was enjoyable and easy to read. I was surprised by Proust's humor: M. Swann suffers the same paranoia and lovesickness that anyone in a relationship endures. He humiliates himself by spying on his beloved and causing himself to fall out of favor with his preferred society. His characters have their personalities and ticks and his descriptions of places and events are evocative. I found myself laughing at the different characters' predicaments (which no doubt would be trivial had any of them had work or real jobs which to attend). Although Swann's Way is not plot driven and can take some time to read, it is worth it. I'm already looking forward to reading the remaining six volumes! I give both Swann's Way and Chocolate and Zucchini 5 Netflix Stars.