Proust in Cartoons

Have you seen the graphic novel version of "Du cote du chez Swann"? It just covers the Combray section, but it's quite beautifully drawn!

I have seen it. On some level it offends me - as do graphic novels, on the whole, because adults reading comic books seems regressive to me.

Yes, I know, I am a snob. But, really, reducing Du Cote to a graphic novel is just bad taste and intellectually fatuous.

yooperprof,

I have not seen it, but i am aways facinated by the various incarnations that come out of something else.

I believe different mediums affords means of expression that are unique to that medium.

I love reading the comics in the newspaper and i can not imagine raising two boys with out the benefit of the cartoon Zits, it is a sanity saver.

david perrings

Well, maybe I should come clean about Calvin and Hobbes.

But, Proust? Seems like sacrilege or at least a vain attempt at - what, exactly?

Enevada,

Yes you should and one of my all time favorite cartoons along with the Far Side which is also no longer.

David

Confession always helps.

But let's try this exercise: take something of the comic genre, let's say The Simpsons or South Park and try to make it into a worthwhile novel. It would take an enormous talent, and it would be an exercise in futility - regardless of the technical skill, or even -if it were great talent- beauty - because the material lacks the depth required to support the structure of a great novel. Likewise, reducing Proust to a pretty comic book is akin to looking at a snow-globed replica of Chartres cathedral - not even close to the real thing, and garish.

yes

but snow globes of Chartres cathedral sell
and people like them.

and that is ok.

and your right it is not the same thing.

david

Hmmm, you're not one of those left-coast cultural relativists, are you David?

Cheeky, I'm joking - but is the OK the enemy of the sublime? Or the death of it?

Now you are over my head,

what is a left-coast cultural relativist ?

enemy of the sublime ?

or the death of it ?

david

I am just playing. Styrofoam is ok, it keeps mobile drinks warm, but it is ugly and tea tastes like dishwater in it.

I hate the OK. Let's use the china.

ET,

Very well stated.

You get an A++++

david

But, Proust? Seems like sacrilege or at least a vain attempt at - what, exactly?

"Corruption" of the young? :)

It didn't even occur to me it would be adults who read those. I bought Heuet's "Combray" for two sets of friends' children, aged 8-12. No complaints, one raving review.

It's been a while--I can't remember how exactly he dealt with the episode of Vinteuil's daughter and her iconoclastic "friend", but I know I decided it was likely to go over the kids' heads... temporarily.

Oh, and it hadn't even occurred to me to give it to children. A wonderful idea, and yes there are certain things that will go over their heads (one hopes), as there are things indeed that go over mine.

Thanks, Lola. Holiday shopping will be easy this year. (But my children will be very suspicious if Santa brings Proust. I'll have to sign that tag myself).