In Search Of Lost Time Vol 1: Swann's Way - Softcover

Proust, Marcel

Softcover

ISBN 10: 009936221X ISBN 13: 9780099362210

Publisher: Vintage Classics, 1996

Synopsis

The definitive translation of one of the greatest French novels of the twentieth century

In the opening volume of Proust's great novel, the narrator travels backwards in time in order to tell the story of a love affair that had taken place before his own birth. Swann's jealous love for Odette provides a prophetic model of the narrator's own relationships. All Proust's great themes - time and memory, love and loss, art and the artistic vocation - are here in kernel form.

'Surely the greatest novelist of the 20th century' Telegraph

About this title

About the Author

Marcel Proust was born in Auteuil in 1871. In his twenties he became a conspicuous society figure, frequenting the most fashionable Paris salons of the day. After 1889, however, his suffering from chronic asthma, the death of his parents and his growing disillustionment with humanity caused him to lead an increasingly retired life. He slept by day and worked by night, writing letters and devoting himself to the completion of A la recherche du temps perdu. He died in 1922 before publication of the last three volumes of his great life's work.

From the Back Cover

'As close to being a definitive English version of the great novel as we are likely to get.' Allan Massie, Scotsman

In this opening volume of Proust's great novel, the narrator seems at first to be launching a fairly traditional life-story. But after the prelude the narrator travels backwards rather than forwards in time, in order to tell the story of a love affair that had taken place before his own birth. Swann's jealous love for Odette, together with the comic antics of the Verdurins and the adoring members of their 'little clan', provide a prophetic model of the narrator's own love-relationships and peregrinations in salon society. All Proust's great themes - time and memory, love and loss, art and the artistic vocation - are here in kernel form.

This fully revised translation of the definitive text has incorporated significant new material. As a result, Proust's masterpiece emerges with renewed freshness and authority. Each volume contains notes, addenda and a synopsis.

Edition details

• Publisher: Vintage Classics
• Publication date: 1996
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 009936221X
• ISBN 13: 9780099362210
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 544