For over two decades, Mechanics' Institute has offered The Proust Seminar, a six-semester reckoning with Marcel Proust’s monumental seven-volume novel, In Search of Lost Time (also known as Remembrance of Things Past), a work Edmund White called “the most respected novel of the twentieth century.” The seminar is led by Dr. Mark Calkins, Lecturer Emeritus at San Francisco State University, and meets on the first and third Wednesdays of the month.
In September 2025, the 2023–25 cohort will begin reading the final volume, Finding Time Again (also translated as Time Regained or The Past Recaptured). Dr. Calkins will use the Penguin Deluxe Classics edition (trans. Collier), though any translation is welcome.
The Proust Seminar is held on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of the month from 5:30-6:30 pm in the 4th Floor Board Room at Mechanics' Institute. The Fall 2025 Semester begins on Wednesday, September 3, 2025, and continues for four months until December 17, 2025. Please note the seminar dates below:
- September 3
- September 17
- October 1
- October 15
- November 5
- November 19
- December 3
- December 17
In advance of the Proust Seminar's first meeting on September 3, 2025, please read pp. 1-67 of Finding Time Again ("…performed after the war").
Mechanics' Institute offers both member and non-member registration options for the Proust Seminar. To join as a member to access the member pricing for this seminar, please join here.
For questions about registration, contact programs@milibrary.org or 415-393-0103.
For questions about curriculum please contact Dr. Calkins at mcalkins@sfsu.edu.
Cancellation policy:
For each seminar, we reserve the right to cancel at any time and issue a full refund. If you are unable to attend the seminar, please email programs@milibrary.org or call 415-393-0103 by Wednesday, August 27, 2025, to receive a full refund less any non-refundable ticketing fees which may be applicable. All fees must be paid at the time of registration. After Wednesday, August 27, 2025 no refunds will be issued.
