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Cities of the Plain by Marcel Proust

Marcel Proust composed Cities of the Plain during the twilight of the Belle Époque, a period when the rigid structures of French high society were beginning…

Cities of the Plain by Marcel Proust
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Runtime: 26 hr 48 min · Watch the full audiobook on YouTube · Subscribe to Ion Books

Marcel Proust composed Cities of the Plain during the twilight of the Belle Époque, a period when the rigid structures of French high society were beginning to fracture under the weight of modernity. This fourth volume of In Search of Lost Time delves deeply into the hidden architectures of desire and the performative nature of identity. The narrator’s observations shift from the provincial charm of Combray to the intricate social webs of Paris and the seaside resort of Balbec. Here, the interplay between public persona and private truth becomes increasingly urgent. Proust examines how individuals navigate a world governed by invisible codes, particularly regarding sexuality and class. The Baron de Charlus emerges as a complex figure, his aristocratic hauteur masking a profound vulnerability and secret longing. Meanwhile, the narrator’s relationship with Albertine grows fraught with jealousy and suspicion, illustrating the corrosive power of love when it becomes a mechanism of control. The prose remains lush and meditative, inviting readers to linger on the nuances of gesture and speech. It is a work to revisit slowly, allowing the text to unfold its psychological depth.

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Public domain & narration

Cities of the Plain was first published in 1921. Works first published before 1931 are in the public domain in the United States, so the text is free to read, share and adapt. This English edition is the translation by C. K. Scott-Moncrieff. The text comes from Project Gutenberg Australia.

The narration is the LibriVox recording read by Michael O'Kelly. LibriVox volunteers dedicate their recordings to the public domain.

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Chapters

  1. Chapter 1: Part 1a Introducing the men-women (45:41) · watch
  2. Chapter 2: Part 1b Introducing the men-women, continued (59:46) · watch
  3. Part 2, Chapter 1a M. De Charlus in Society - A physician (42:48) · watch
  4. Part 2, Chapter 1b Mme. d'Arpajon - Mmes. d'Amoncourt, de Citri, de Saint-Euverte, etc. (50:08) · watch
  5. Part 2, Chapter 1c Curious conversation between Swann and the Prince de Guermantes (49:35) · watch
  6. Part 2, Chapter 1d Curious conversation between Swann and the Prince de Guermantes, continued (29:50) · watch
  7. Part 2, Chapter 1e Curious conversation between Swann and the Prince de Guermantes, continued (1:03:23) · watch
  8. Part 2, Chapter 1f Curious conversation between Swann and the Prince de Guermantes, continued (44:43) · watch
  9. Part 2, Chapter 1g Albertine on the telephone - My social life (1:06:09) · watch
  10. Part 2, The Heart's Intermissions a (37:07) · watch
  11. Part 2, The Heart's Intermissions b (55:32) · watch
  12. Part 2, Chapter 2a The mysteries of Albertine (46:50) · watch
  13. Part 2, Chapter 2b Madame de Cambremer (1:00:16) · watch
  14. Part 2, Chapter 2c Madame de Cambremer continued (54:03) · watch
  15. Part 2, Chapter 2d The pleasures of M. Nissim Bernard (54:03) · watch
  16. Part 2, Chapter 2e The pleasures of M. Nissim Bernard continued; Outline of the strange character of Morel (52:19) · watch
  17. Part 2, Chapter 2f M. de Charlus dines with the Verdurins 1 (38:52) · watch
  18. Part 2, Chapter 2g M. de Charlus dines with the Verdurins 2 (51:03) · watch
  19. Part 2, Chapter 2h M. de Charlus dines with the Verdurins 3 (50:49) · watch
  20. Part 2, Chapter 2i M. de Charlus dines with the Verdurins 4 (40:06) · watch
  21. Part 2, Chapter 2j M. de Charlus dines with the Verdurins 5 (56:46) · watch
  22. Part 2, Chapter 2k M. de Charlus dines with the Verdurins 6 (52:18) · watch
  23. Part 2, Chapter 2l M. de Charlus dines with the Verdurins 7 (37:55) · watch
  24. Part 2, Chapter 3a The sorrows of M. de Charlus 1 (44:11) · watch
  25. Part 2, Chapter 3b The sorrows of M. de Charlus 2 (53:40) · watch
  26. Part 2, Chapter 3c The sorrows of M. de Charlus 3 (1:03:37) · watch
  27. Part 2, Chapter 3d The sorrows of M. de Charlus 4 (44:57) · watch
  28. Part 2, Chapter 3e The sorrows of M. de Charlus 5 (41:43) · watch
  29. Part 2, Chapter 3f The sorrows of M. de Charlus 6 - his sham duel (50:19) · watch
  30. Part 2, Chapter 3g The stations of the "Transatlantic" (59:06) · watch
  31. Part 2, Chapter 3h Weary of Albertine, I decide to break with her (52:13) · watch
  32. Part 2, Chapter 4 Sudden revulsion in favour of Albertine - Agony at sunrise - I set off with Albertine for Paris (58:25) · watch

Full text

This work is too long to show on one page. Read it on Project Gutenberg Australia · download ebook.txt

Sources

Raw pipeline data (admin)