“It is said that nothing in our lives is ever lost, that nothing can prevent its having been. That is why, so very often the weight of the past lies ineluctably upon the present. But that is why it is so real in memory, so wholly itself, so far beyond replacement.”

French novelist and essayist of the early 20th century, Proust is best known for his monumental seven-volume novel *In Search of Lost Time*, a deeply introspective exploration of memory, time, and human experience. His lyrical prose and psychological depth have made him a cornerstone of modern literature.