France’s National Library Is Fund-Raising to Buy Proust Manuscripts

The French National Library is seeking to acquire a significant collection of Marcel Proust's manuscripts, including drafts of the iconic madeleine passage from his renowned novel "In Search of Lost Time." The collection, which is currently for sale, represents a valuable and historic literary treasure trove. The National Library is launching a fundraising campaign to secure the necessary funds to purchase the manuscripts, which are estimated to be worth millions of euros. The acquisition of these documents would be a major coup for the library, allowing it to preserve and make available this invaluable piece of French literary heritage. The manuscripts offer a rare glimpse into Proust's creative process, showcasing the evolution of his iconic work. The inclusion of the madeleine passage drafts is particularly significant, as this scene is widely regarded as one of the most famous and influential in all of French literature. The National Library's efforts to acquire these manuscripts reflect the importance of preserving and protecting the nation's cultural legacy for future generations of scholars and readers.