Calling a book “Simply Proust” suggests it is an introduction to the man and his work and the first part is indeed just that - a brief biographical sketch. But the second part which delves deeper into the novel is anything but a basic introduction. Erudite and illuminating it might well be for the cognoscenti but for the reader who has not already read In Search of Lost Time it is far too much an intellectual exercise and does not pave the way into the novel. I finished little wiser than when I started reading. If I were to embark on Proust’s masterpiece in the future I will no doubt come back to this exposition and learn much from it, but don’t call a book “simply” when it is anything but.

The first part of Simply Proust is a generally chronological based life of Proust detailing some of his quirks and lifestyle and focusses to some extent on the period when he was writing his seven part ‘In Search of Lost Time’ opus and this part ends at his death. The second part of the book looks in detail at his book (or books as it was published as seven separate books), its influences some of which are well known or at least documented and others that are suggested by the author of this book.
The first half of this book is very well written and really made me want to read ‘In Search of Lost Time’. Yes, I admit I have never read it, and this is where potential readers of this ‘Simply Proust’ book need to make a decision. Do you read this first or Proust’s book(s) first? I do not think ‘Simply Proust’ gives away any spoilers but since I have not read ‘In Search of Lost Time’ I cannot be sure.
Whilst I liked the first half of this book, I did not enjoy the second half as much. This part seems to move backwards and forwards and I felt that the author is trying too hard to show their own intellectualism rather than give the reader a useful guide to Proust (the book is called ‘Simply Proust’ and not a psychological review of In Search of Lost Time after all). I also do not like the constant use of “Speech Marks” throughout the book that are often for no “obvious” purpose. The addition of references may have improved this as they are sometimes clearly used to indicate quotations from either ‘In Search of Lost Time’ or from other sources but they are used so often it becomes unclear.
So, this is a book of two halves. The first half is a simple and clear guide to the life of Proust, particularly as related to the period he was writing ‘In Search of Lost Time’ (which was most of his life) and the second half was often difficult and annoying to read that made me feel I would have been better off reading the first volume of Proust’s book.

While I admit the author does a good job of introducing the reader to Marcel Proust, I must also admit I have not had much experience with Proust. After reading this I probably will not look further. Made me pause reading that he wrote 30+ pages describing tossing and turning because he couldn’t sleep. Oh well, if you like Proust you will like this book. Would recommend.

I read part of À la recherche du temps perdu and was fascinated by the style of writing, the characters and psychological insights.
Proust is quite complex and this book made wish to start to read the books again.
It's informative, easy to follow and an excellent introduction to Proust's works.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine