Proust's Duchess

In this Pulitzer Prize finalist, Caroline Weber explores the vibrant world of turn-of-the-century Paris through the lives of three iconic women who inspired Proust's character, the Duchesse de Guermantes. Geneviève Halévy, Laure de Sade, and Élisabeth de Riquet de Caraman-Chimay expertly navigated the glamorous yet restrictive social codes of their time, transforming themselves into legends of elegance and artistry. Weber captures their enchanting salons, where they influenced a generation of creatives, while also revealing the personal struggles and societal pressures that shadowed their lives. This compelling historical portrait illuminates the complexities behind their public personas and their profound impact on culture.