This list of books are ONLY the books that have been ranked on the lists that are aggregated on this site. This is not a comprehensive list of all books by this author.

1. 1. In Search of Lost Time

   

   In Search of Lost Time is a monumental seven-volume novel about memory, desire, society, art, and the passage of time. Told through the narrator’s reflections on childhood, love, jealousy, social life, and artistic awakening, the work moves through France from the late nineteenth century into the early twentieth century, including the world of bourgeois families, aristocratic salons, the Dreyfus Affair, and World War I. It is especially famous for its treatment of involuntary memory, most notably the madeleine episode, and for its searching exploration of how time reshapes identity, love, and experience.

   The 2nd Greatest Book of All Time

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2. 2. Time Regained

   

   In the final volume of a monumental series, the narrator reflects on the passage of time and the nature of memory as he navigates the shifting landscape of post-World War I Parisian society. Through a series of vivid recollections and introspective musings, he grapples with the ephemeral nature of life and art, ultimately finding solace and meaning in the act of writing. As he revisits past experiences and encounters familiar faces, he comes to understand the profound impact of time on human relationships and the enduring power of memory to shape one's identity and legacy.

   The 8798th Greatest Book of All Time

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3. 3. Within A Budding Grove

   In the Shadow of Young Girls in Flower

   

   The novel explores the narrator's coming-of-age journey as he navigates the complexities of love, art, and society in early 20th-century France. As he transitions from adolescence to adulthood, he becomes infatuated with a group of young girls, particularly focusing on his romantic interest in Albertine. Through vivid and introspective prose, the narrative delves into themes of memory, desire, and the passage of time, capturing the nuances of social interactions and the inner workings of the narrator's mind as he seeks to understand his place in the world.

   The 11870th Greatest Book of All Time

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4. 4. Swanns Värld

   På spaning efter den tid som flytt

   

   The book delves into the intricacies of memory and perception through the experiences of its protagonist, who navigates the complexities of love, society, and art. It explores the nuances of human relationships and the passage of time, capturing the protagonist's reflections on his past and the people who have shaped his life. Through rich, detailed prose, the narrative examines themes of longing, jealousy, and the search for meaning, offering a profound meditation on the nature of existence and the enduring power of memory.

   The 15843rd Greatest Book of All Time