Far behind their rightful times: Proust and publishing

Finished "Swann's Way" and read Lydia Davis's smart intro and notes and am not surprised, sadly, that Proust had trouble finding a publisher for what was to become one of the great novels of the century - several publishers flat-out turned him down, complete with snide comments like who would read 60 pages about a guy turning over in bed? Right - who would? Until they read Proust. Like all of the greatest writers, Proust changed the way we read and in that sense changed the way we look at and experience the world. And of course like all great writers he gave us access to the consciousness of another - more so than any of today's pallid memoirists could ever dream of (though could any have written their stories had not Proust shown the way?). The rejections are obvious - and at least one writer, Gide, later noted that the decision, in which he played a role, to reject Swann's Way was the worst decision his house (NRF) ever made - like the Red Sox selling Ruth or passing on Mays (or was it Robinson?). Proust ultimately had to basically self-publish, a true commercial house but he took on all the costs - hope he earned out! But just imagine Proust circulating Swann's Way in manuscript today. Can you honestly imagine any commercial house taking on this project? Or any agent? Not unless Proust were a celebrity or the story could be cut to 200 pages and focus on childhood abuse, addiction, and sadomasochism. How many other great writers are out there, today, never to be published: artists far behind their rightful time.