Swann's Way Paperback – May 27, 2015

"Swann's Way" is the first installment in Marcel Proust's multi-volume "In Search Of Lost Time" (formerly "Remembrance Of Things Past"). "Swann's Way" was finished in 1912 and first published in 1913. The publisher submitted it to a writing contest, but it didn't win."Swann's Way" was written originally in French. The first English translation appeared in 1922 (the year of Proust's death). This translation is part of a long-term project by Penguin Books to create a brand new English translation of "In Search" using a team of translators. The entire project was published in Britain in 2002. US saw the release of the first four volumes in 2004. But the US will not see the rest of the series until 2019 at the earliest. (The British releases of the remaining volumes can still be purchased through Amazon.)This is my first experience with Proust. Proust is not a story-teller like John Steinbeck or Mark Twain. Instead he spends a lot of time observing what's around him and describing what he sees in highly poetic language. You'll see long discussions about the weather, the wildflowers and the trees, the clothes people wear, the vehicles they travel in, and the music they listen to. Proust makes many references to classical music like Mozart, Liszt and Wagner."Swann's Way" contains three sections: Combray, Swann In Love, and Place Names: The Name."Combray" is a boy's memoir of life in Combray, a small French town. It has no real plot. The famous "madeleine" is a desert cake dipped in tea that the narrator bites into and suddenly remembers many forgotten memories of his past. The boy narrator talks about his love of reading and infatuation with the theater, his reclusive grand-aunt Leonie Octave, his housekeeper Francoise, the evening visits of Swann, and his obsession with getting goodnight kisses from his mom. "Combray" explains the book's title: there are two walking paths out of Combray. One of those paths runs past the home of Swann, and is therefore nicknamed "Swann's Way.""Swann In Love" has been described as a novel in a novel. But again it read more like a memoir than a real story. The section takes place before the events in "Combray."Swann is a well-to-do socialite who is invited to the Verdurins' soiree by fellow socialite Odette de Crecy. Swann falls in love with Odette but he is infatuated and eventually lapses into obsession. He finds himself spying on her, stalking her, stealing her mail, and using her friends to gain information. Amazingly, Odette continues to see Swann as a friend, but he just uses these occasions to pry into her past affairs and rumors of lesbianism. Not surprisingly, she drifts away from him."Place-Names: The Name" is the shortest section (supposedly truncated per publisher's directions), and could be retitled "The Narrator In Love." It is yet another memoir of another man (actually a boy) in love with none other than Swann's daughter Gilberte (the name). The boy is not as obsessed as Swann was, but nevertheless causes much stress for his poor governess when he insists on walking to various places in Paris in the off chance of finding Gilberte.Proust is one of those authors that, like fruits & vegetables, is supposed to ‘good' for you. Fortunately, Proust is not avant-garde or experimental, and his language is straightforward and not that hard to understand (probably because the translator made it so). Even Proust's famously long sentences are heavily punctuated, so they aren't too hard to follow.Since "Swann's Way" is a classic, I'm going to leave it to the scholars to rate the novel itself.But five stars go to Lydia Davis' readable translation, the highly informative intro, the detailed footnotes, and the attractive book design.

THIS REVIEW IS FOR THE SIMON & BROWN HARD COVER that is listed as the hard copy version to Penguin Classic's Lydia Davis translation. IT'S NOT THE SAME BOOK! GET THE PAPERBACK VERSION INSTEAD. I've been reading that Penguin Classics Lydia Davis version is the best version for newcomers to Proust's work. It's supposed to be easier to read, without all the post-Victorian embellishments of earlier translations. It's supposed to have an introduction by her in the front and is loaded with well-researched footnotes. The HARD COPY version with the blue cover and yellow font has NONE of that. In fact, Lydia Davis's name isn't anywhere in or on the book. It's not even published by Penguin Classics. The publsher is Simon & Brown, a third-rate self-publishing company (go ahead, google them -- they're not legit), and it features the old Moncrief translation with no footnotes You could basically read this version for free off the internet. I've contacted Amazon for a refund and will be exchanging it for Penguin Classic's Lydia Davis translation in paperback. It's confusing because the bootlegged Simon & Brown copy is listed as the hard copy version of the legitimate Penguin Classic paperback. Amazon, please fix this!

In the western literary canon there are several recognized siege reads (lovely pun that ) that tend to mark off the dilettante reader from the serious. Horse choker reads of established classical standing. To have read and maybe understood from this class is the difference between mountain climbing as a day long exercise and a mountaineering exercise that is the culminating expedition built on months of preparation.Among these reads are the Great Russian slayers of trees, War and Peace, Anna Karenina, Crime and Punishment. In more recent times is the great English language challenge Ulysses. In attempting to review Marcel Proust’s Swann’s Way, I am making a public declaration of my intent to read all seven volumes of In Search of Lost time. In the past I have taken advantages of some of the lovely graphic novel versions adapted and wondrously drawn by Stephane Heuet. This time I have the paperback translation by Lydia Davis. It is said to be an easier read for a modern reader and I have reason to believe that the original translation C. K, Scott Moncrieff is a bit stogy and slightly bowdlerized.I am not going to return another gushing "is it not wondrous?" type review. While hardly my first exposure to stream of conscious, Swann’s Way is orders of magnitude beyond reasonable. Sentences stretch out as if in support of a national shortage of periods and planning to stop at the end of the next paragraph is certain to upset your schedule for the rest of the day. There are passages of glittering, fine and insightful observations and musings, but catching and holding on to any one is rather like seizing the finer glints of sun in crystalline waters while standing in the middle of a water fall. I also suspect that some of these wonderful thoughts, if held still and analyzed read as very deep while not making much sense.Swann’s Way begins by introducing ups to our narrator, Marcel. In 47 pages we get a detailed, recollection of his 6 or 8-year-old self, engaged in a highly complex almost creepy campaign to get a good night kiss from his mother. So yes, Marcel is a Momma’s Boy- the caps are deliberate.His parents are middle class, and well connected. Among their frequent guest is Swann. A man with even higher social connection however hampered by his unfortunate marriage. Continuing into the next chapter we meet more of Marcel’s family. His parents seem decent well-grounded people. Obviously his Mother is the source of good things. His Father can be coldly fierce, but given to great understanding and a knowledge of when to let the boy have his way. An Aunt who is comically hypochondriac and an all-time busy body. There is an Uncle with a steady series of lady friends of a type not admissible to the rest of the family. His grandmother is clearly his favorite and a center of his youth.The single overriding and central theme- occupying most or all of every human contact is: Who has the status to be recognized, if only on the street or at parties, who is allowed to visit and who has sufficient standing to be visiting as a family? The series is titled The Remembrance of Things Past because of the famous scene of Marcel inhaling the aroma of a tea-soaked madeleine cookie which triggers the rest of the 7 books. For all of that most honored literary device, the books could just as easily been Remembrances of Snobbery Past. Money, Politics, High Art and more than anything - class standing fill the pages.We now know that Marcel is a Moma’s boy and that the guiding principal of his upbringing is snobbery. His main interests seem to be flowers, especially hawthorns, actors/actresses and literature. He is most likely to be found bursting into tears, lost in complex reveries and indulging a highly self-center romantic overwrought thought process or in need of a private physician.Incidentally there are two main routes into town. On passes by the aforementioned Swann’s estates, and is therefore Swann’s Way, (for some reason it has two names) and another longer route known as The Guermantes Way. These two routes are going to be important. Each get theirown book. What they are to represent is not yet clear.Before leaving this part of the book, it must be said to Proust’s credit that he has a sly sense of humor. However comic his relatives, he respects them. We may laugh. He does not.Having several times mentioned Swann, his connections and his unfortunate marriage we move back in time to observe Swann in Love. He meets with a well-known courtesan, Odette. A woman of decidedly mixed reputation. Swann is something of a player and his fall is a gradual thing. From first date to first kiss is protracted, but quickly becomes best described as love sickness. Proust again to his credit gives us in detail what it is to be so completely smitten as to loose perspective, pride and whatever equanimity or equipoise natural to a well off, man about town.This book ends with Marcel now in his teens, becoming a habitué in Swann’s home. Initially he is a close friend of Swann’s daughter. Indeed, she is a possible future wife. Marcel is more fascinated by Madam Swann.Having finished Swann’s Way I had developed a reading approach that kept me going. The quality of the writing is such that I could pass through 20 pages sometimes without effort. I may not have absorbed just how great it all was, but neither had I been defeated by how wordy it all is. I had sufficient momentum to move directly into book 2, In the shadow of Young Girls in Flower. That review will follow in its turn.

Proust has a reputation for being difficult, right? To a degree I can see why, but honestly, once you've given this book enough time (perhaps the first 50 or so pages) you begin to get to grips with his writing style, which is undoubtedly something of a challenge.Additionally, Proust isn't concerned with writing a page turner. Oh no. For me this book is verging on philosophical in that it attempts, successfully in my opinion , to convey some very deep aspects of our humanity. The book concentrates on trying to get to grips with our sensory and intellectual understanding of the world around us; e.g. the smell of flowers, the falling of light on stone, the many ways we can love etc. etc.Eventually I found this book totally immersive and, whilst I personally couldn't read more than 20 pages at a single sitting (it just requires too much concentration for more) I have come to see Proust as a writer like no other and one, I suspect, you'll either love or hate.I'll open my copy now at random and type the first significant sentence I find to give you an idea of what you find here (or are up against!).page 256 ...Of course, it did not occur to him to be jealous of Odette, but he did not feel as happy as usual and when Brichot, having begun to tell the story of Blanche de Castille's mother, who 'had been happy with Henry Plantagenet for years before she married him', tried to prompt Swann to ask him what happened next by saying to him: 'Isn't that so Monsieur Swann?' in the martial tone one adopts to make oneself understood by a peasant or instil courage in a soldier, Swann spoiled Brichot's effect, to the fury of their hostess, by answering that they must please excuse him for being so uninterested in Blanche de Castille, but he had something to ask the painter.Yes, that's one sentence!!

I don't know if it's the age I've reached (late 30s), or whether it's Lydia Davis's translation - but I can't put this book down.I read it first in French when I was 19 (but it was too much for me to take in), then in English (but for some reason it was also too much for me to take in). I've re-tried a few times, but really got nowhere. I appreciated it aesthetically, but not emotionally, I found it trying despite my best intentions. Then, having found my love of fiction on the wane over the last few years (I don't know why) - but still desperate to read - I picked up this translation, but with little hope. However I find I'm cramming as much in as I can before bed, again in the morning over breakfast, at lunch if I can...if you'd told me one day that I was carrying Proust around everywhere with me, finding it very difficult to put down, I wouldn't have believed you!Like someone who's had a religious epiphany, I want to share it with everyone, but the experience is so personal in some way that I can't find the words without sounding bonkers! I think it's absolutely wonderful.

As ever, I am writing a review for the physical book, not a book review on the content. Although there are exceptions, I do not think Amazon reviews are the best place to get informed opinions of literary merit, especially when so much information is now available online that is far more erudite and engaging. As such, this review considers the edition, focusing on the publisher, design, layout, and quality of the book. This is not a judgement on those who review books on Amazon (I do sometimes) but rather reflects what I want in a review when I am buying. (Although with Proust, as one of the most influential and celebrated writers of the twentieth century, surely there is already enough critical and literary commentary to satisfy any desire for further knowledge, making a review of his work somewhat redundant here?)Anyway, Penguin Classics 2003 edition of The Way by Swann’s, part of the whole: In Search of Lost Time series by Marcel Proust. I chose this edition to start reading Proust after extensively researching the history of the translation of Proust into English, and was therefore extremely happy when I found I could buy the first book of the series on Amazon. It is sold much cheaper than the stated price on the back of the book, and considering the rich enjoyment Proust brings, represents excellent value for money. It has the usual quality one associates with Penguin although the text is rather small -- understandable due to the scale of the novel and the extra sections that need to be included with Proust, ie. Translator notes, general editor notes, general notes, synopsis etc.One particularly pleasing aspect of these mint green Modern Classics editions is their methodical layout. The cover art is presented as a band across the book cover, leaving space for the individual title and series title, which for me personally, is a joy. It may seem fussy, but there is something rather fitting in the wordy organisation of the massive whole, that lends itself beautifully to Proust. I think taken together, these collected editions as In Search of Lost Time will look fantastic on the bookshelf. As I already mentioned, above, I had already done my research on the translations, so the fact that these books are also beautiful and a joy to read is just a fortuitous bonus; that they are also available on Amazon, and cheap, simply makes them perfect.However, although seemingly perfect, should you consider buying this first volume, with a view to reading Proust in his entirety via this collection, then it is important to know that the second volume is not available on Amazon -- which I found out, much to my chagrin, after finishing the first. It is listed, but out of stock (and seemingly has been for a while). To compound this, unscrupulous sellers seem to be capitalising on this by offering second-hand copies at exorbitant prices. In the end, I managed to locate and buy a used copy from a book shop (peculiarly) in Paris for a reasonable price. However, it turns out that the Modern Classics editions sold here, are in fact, a reprint. The original 2003 Penguin Classics editions (which my copy of volume two is) are different in design. Though this in no way diminishes the joy of reading Proust it is a little annoying, and, more importantly, is something to bear in my mind when buying this edition. I have attached a picture comparing the editions in case anyone is interested.If you enjoyed this review, and have similar literary tastes to me, then I have reviewed other works on Amazon in a similar manner.

This is the first volume in Proust’s masterpiece, “In Search of Lost Time.” As I had never read Proust before, I embarked on this journey with a little trepidation. Would I simply get ‘bogged down’ as some readers suggested? Would I just not “get it…” Thankfully, I am pleased to report that this is an enjoyable and remarkable read. I would say that this is a book which requires you to drift with the author’s words – you need quiet and peace and time to fully appreciate this book. As such, I discovered it was not to be read during the commute, but saved for moments when I did have the peace and quiet to savour it properly. It is not a novel which should be rushed – there is no plot to race through, no need to ‘get to the end.’ Just change your perceptions from the writing rules of today – realise that sadly this book would not be published today as it refuses to conform to the ordinary – and then embrace it for what it is.Indeed, even in 1913, when this first volume was first released, Proust had to self publish this work; leading publishers having rejected the manuscript. Thankfully, by early 1914, one editor – Andre Gide – had the humility to apologise to Proust for rejecting the book and stating, “For several days I have been unable to put your book down… The rejection of this book will remain the most serious mistake ever made by the NRF and, since I bear the shame of being very much responsible for it, one of the most stinging and remorseful regrets of my life.”So, what is this book actually about? It is actually split into three parts. The first, “Combray,” sees our narrator musing on childhood memories. It is fair to say that, if you enjoy this part of the book, you will be able to read to the end. Musings, memories, drifting passages and endless paragraphs will either embrace you – or leave you frustrated and infuriated. The middle section is almost a novella in itself – and often taken as such and taught in French schools – and tells the story of Swann’s jealous infatuation with Odette. Lastly, the shorter, third part of the book, sees our narrator having his own infatuation, with the daughter of Swann; the schoolgirl Gilberte. However, although this tells you the bare+ facts of the novel, it does not do justice to the sheer poetry of the writing and the meandering style. It is fair to say that you will either not make it to the end or immediately reach for the second volume. Personally, I am grateful that I discovered this sublime novel and have every intention of reading on.

There are three qualities to comment upon: the complete novel, the translation, and the kindle specifics. I'm going to post this review for all six volumes of the Prendergast series. If you've read it elsewhere, I apologise.I'd guess that my most helpful remarks will be about the kindle implementation. I'll cover all six books of this Prendergast edition. There is nothing in the general formatting to deter purchase of the kindle version. The complete novel is so large and there are so many characters that X-Ray would have been good. This series doesn't have it. But each volume does have a synopsis at the end which lists the elements of the narrative (for example “Swann's first meeting with Odette”; “Odette's vulgarity”), together with the page number. At the time of writing (June 2015), the usefulness of this feature varies from volume to volume. Its value is greatest in “In the shadow of young girls”, “The Guermantes Way”, and “The Prisoner and the Fugitive”. In all three the page number is a link, enabling one to jump directly to the page referenced. If, like me, you want to re-read passages, this feature is excellent. In “The Way by Swann's” and “Finding time again” the page numbers don't link directly to the referenced passages: you have to Go To the page number. Finally “Sodom and Gomorrah” doesn't contain page numbers, so those quoted in the Synopsis are almost useless. I assume that this is a production error, and I've informed Amazon. I've read that the Kilmartin/Enright edition has an index of place names and proper names and a thematic index, but I've no idea how well these are implemented on the kindle.I enjoyed the novel, but it has its weaknesses: the long sentences are quite often hard to comprehend without re-reading, and some passages are over-long. So I wouldn't expect everyone to enjoy it. You just have to try it.I opted to spend about £30 on the Predergast series, after starting the free (for kindle) Scott Moncrieff edition. I could have lived with the Scott Moncrieff but I just preferred a more modern text. I'm not able to compare the Prendergast series translations with Kilmartin and Enright's. Occasionally I wanted to compare the translation with Proust's French. This was hampered by the Prendergast series being based on the 1987 Pléiade edition, which is not in the public domain and so too expensive for me. There's an informative “General Editor's Preface” at the beginning of “The Way by Swann's”. I'd expect it would be included within the free sample available for kindle.