A memory of madeleines — The cake Proust almost forgot
About this episode
This episode explores the connection between memory and the madeleine cake as depicted in Proust's work.
Marcel Proust's epic novel In Search of Lost Time is perhaps best known for its evocation of memory triggered by the senses — particularly in a scene involving a madeleine. The shell-shaped sponge cake whisks the narrator into a detailed recollection of his childhood, and this familiar sensation continues to fascinate philosophers, neuroscientists and other scholars today. So, how does this kind of memory operate? Why might a madeleine be the perfect catalyst? And what surprisingly basic food featured in Proust's original draft? Guests: Barry C. Smith , Director of the Institute of Philosophy at the University of London Trevor Gulliver, restaurateur and co-founder of St. JOHN Hyo Ju Park and Rong Yao Soh, founders of Madeleine de Proust and authors of Madeleines: Simple Bakes for Every Mood Get in touch: We'd love to hear from you! Email us at everybite@abc.net.au This episode of Every Bite was produced on the lands of the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation.
People in this episode
Guests: Barry C. Smith, Trevor Gulliver, Hyo Ju Park, Rong Yao Soh
Topics covered
- memory
- food
- literature
- Proust
- philosophy
- neuroscience
Keywords
- madeleine
- Proust
- memory
- senses
- food
- literature
- neuroscience
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Institute of Philosophy at the University of London, St. JOHN, Madeleine de Proust
Books & works: In Search of Lost Time, Madeleines: Simple Bakes for Every Mood
More episodes of Every Bite
- From Seder to Shabbat — A year of Jewish cooking
- For love or honey — Keeping bees in the age of varroa
Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Every Bite podcast page.