[charlus]

Bredin's 1983 The Affair is really seen as the most thorough account. My favourite reading of the affair is actually In Search of Lost Time, as Proust shows the split in society during this period over the second and third (perhaps the fourth too I think?) volumes.

[dded]

Thanks. I might have to check out Bredin

(Proust, at 4k pages, is perhaps too long! :-) But I appreciate the recommendation. That split in society was emphasized by Tuchman, as I recall.)

[rodgerd]

Proust is shorter than "The War of the Roses, WITH DRAGONS!", and plenty of people have ploughed through that.

[pash]

It's not too long. :)