The Captive (Hardcover) (ISBN-13: 9781025504261)

"The Captive" is the profound and introspective fifth volume of Marcel Proust's monumental masterpiece, "In Search of Lost Time". This installment delves deep into the complexities of desire, possession, and the corrosive nature of jealousy as the narrator, Marcel, attempts to keep his mistress, Albertine, a virtual prisoner within his Parisian apartment. As he obsessively scrutinizes her every movement and word for signs of betrayal, the narrative explores the inherent impossibility of truly knowing another human being.

Beyond the central domestic drama, Proust offers a brilliant examination of the high-society circles of early 20th-century France, woven through with meditations on art, music, and the subjective experience of time. The novel is celebrated for its intricate psychological depth and its lyrical, winding prose that captures the fluidity of memory and emotion. "The Captive" stands as a crucial chapter in one of the most significant literary achievements of the modern era, offering a haunting look at the barriers that separate individuals even in their most intimate moments.

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Author: Marcel Proust
ISBN-10: 1025504267
ISBN-13: 9781025504261
Publisher: Tradd Street Press
Language: English
Published: 02/14/2026
Pages: 584
Format: Hardcover
Weight: 2.18lbs
Size: 9.21h x 6.14w x 1.25d