Lost Time: Lectures on Proust in a Soviet Prison Camp

This is an inspiring book. Czapski's memory and ability to recall A la recherché du temps perdu without the books and under the duress of confinement in a Soviet gulag is impressive and humbling. Well worth reading both for the interpretation of Proust and for the sense of life the undergirds Czapski's narrative. Human being may be able to adapt to any difficulties, and Czapski demonstrates how literature and imagination can help to survive extremely difficult circumstances.

Karpeles' translation is remarkable and vivifies the book for readers of English.