Laure Murat, a historian, essayist, and professor of literature in Los Angeles, has crafted a unique hybrid text that combines elements of a literary essay, tribute, and an intimate familial account. She, bearing the aristocratic title of “Princesse,” is the daughter of the Duchess of Luynes, hailing from the illustrious Ancien Régime family, and Prince Napoleon Murat, a descendant of Marshal Joachim and Caroline Bonaparte, sister of the Emperor. The story of her lineage forms an interesting backdrop, as it reveals the tension between two distinct forms of nobility: the traditional aristocracy and the more recent Empire nobility. The clash between these two noble lineages, one steeped in tradition and the other rooted in Napoleon’s legacy, has always been marked by snubbing and mockery, a theme reminiscent of Marcel Proust’s works, particularly the contempt for commoners.
Laure Murat emphasizes the rarity of her parents’ proclivity for reading, which defied the stereotype of their aristocratic milieu. This served as a valuable model for intellectual growth and emancipation. She recalls that reading Proust in her twenties was a revelation, as she discovered a fascinating porosity between fiction and reality, a theme she explores in her book. This porosity allows her to navigate between Proust’s work, her own genealogy, and the people associated with her family. Proust had frequented the Hotel Murat during her great-grandmother’s time, among other connections. This revelation opened her eyes to the vulgarity and manners prevalent in her aristocratic environment.
The book unfolds through various chapters where Laure Murat recounts her childhood memories while dissecting the inner workings of the aristocracy and the world of appearances. She shares edifying anecdotes, such as her first bus ride at the age of 20, accompanied by her father, who mistakenly treated it as a taxi. She also touches on her mother’s lack of affection, her grandmother’s aversion to effusive behavior, and the irony of her organizing a ball when her son died.
Throughout the book, Laure Murat interweaves Proust’s own text, which, while demanding, serves as a means of popularization. The narrative is peppered with quotations from Proust’s work and references to its characters and the real individuals who inspired them. The book alternates between chapters that delve into the habits and customs of the aristocracy, shedding light on its shortcomings, and chapters that are more theoretical in nature.
The stark contrast between the rigid world of Laure Murat’s childhood and Proust’s vivid descriptions is truly astonishing. Proust’s work unveils the emptiness of her aristocratic background, introducing dynamism and bringing certain individuals into the spotlight. It is through Proust that Laure Murat finds her emancipation. Her rift with her family, which had endured for thirty years, stemmed not from her homosexuality but from her audacity to admit it to her mother.
Furthermore, Laure Murat contends that one need not have ancestors closely related to Napoleon to comprehend the weight of a constrictive environment. She frequently references Annie Ernaux and the importance of creating distance and effective deconstruction.
The book essentially showcases Laure Murat extracting the richness of Proust’s work and juxtaposing it with her own unique journey. She concludes her narrative with a powerful statement: “Proust saved me.” He saved her in two significant ways: by opening her eyes to the complexities of her aristocratic heritage and helping her come to terms with her homosexuality, ultimately leading to a break with her family.
In terms of accessibility, the book is not hindered by its style, which is brilliant and relatively clear. Instead, it may pose a challenge due to its subject matter. As Laure Murat acknowledges, while Proust’s “In Search of Lost Time” is widely recognized, its actual readership is smaller than one might assume. Laure Murat’s memoir, although a profound and personal exploration of her relationship with her aristocratic heritage, may be more challenging for readers unfamiliar with Proust’s work and its intricate themes. Nonetheless, it serves as a captivating and thought-provoking journey through the intersection of literature, personal history, and identity.