“She [Mme des Laumes] belonged to that half of the human race in whom the curiosity the other half feels about the people it does not know is replaced by an interest in the people it does.”

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.