Preparing the readers of his era The pre-publications of Proust

Proust accompanied the publication of each volume of À la recherche du temps perdu with slightly earlier pre-publications, accompanying discourse, extracts, and even more ambitious articles. Far from neglecting the context surrounding publication, the novelist took great care in laying the groundwork and preparing his potential readers for the arrival of his work. These publications also allowed the writer to highlight elements of his work that he considered salient and shape the way the books would be read at the time.