Within a Budding Grove

First published in 1919, "e;Within a Budding Grove"e; is the second novel in the "e;In Search of Lost Time"e; series by famed French author Marcel Proust. Originally intended to be published in 1914, but delayed by the onset of World War I, "e;Within a Budding Grove"e; was awarded the Prix Goncourt in 1919 and instantly catapulted Proust to international fame. The novel follows the narrator from the first volume, "e;Swann's Way"e;, from childhood to adolescence. He grows bored with Swann's daughter, Gilberte, and becomes infatuated with a new girl he meets while visiting the seaside town of Balbec with his grandmother. Albertine is a captivating beauty and the narrator enjoys spending time with her and her young and artistic friends. "e;Within a Budding Grove"e; explores the theme of involuntary memory, where common everyday occurrences trigger recollections of the past, which is a central concern of Proust's "e;In Search of Lost Time"e;. Proust explores how childhood memories and impressions continue to affect a person for years, even as many of the specifics of the memories are lost to time and become meaningless. Proust's novel is a timeless study of adolescent love. This edition follows the translation of C. K. Scott Moncrieff.