Genevieve Gaunt

The sleepless lives of great writers

After years of insomnia, Marie Darrieussecq derives some comfort from finding herself in the company of Kafka, Kant, Proust, Dostoevsky, Borges and Plath

Proust’s insomnia began in childhood and grew increasingly worse throughout his life. The young narrator of Swann’s Way finds sleep virtually impossible without his mother’s goodnight kiss [Getty Images] 
issue 12 August 2023

  • Sleepless

    Marie Darrieussecq, translated by Penny Hueston

    Fitzcarraldo, pp. 272, £12

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