French Classics in French and English: Swann's Way by Marcel Proust (Dual-Language Book) (French Edition)

This review is only for this particular edition of "Swann's Way", not for the book in general. This edition is so clumsily typeset that it makes for difficult reading. The type is too large and too dense on the page. I see that this is a "print-on-demand" edition and I rather think that whoever published it was doing their utmost to save money. I returned it reluctantly because I really did want the parallel French/English text, but the book's presentation made an already challenging read just about impossible.

This is a literal translation hence it is phrase by phrase and often word by word accurate. The texts are set up to have immediate correspondence. Incredibly, even if one is not great at French, there are so many approximations and cognates of English that a motivated reader can read as much of this as they wish to get a really clear idea of Proust writing—which is anything but difficult language like Joyce or whomever. The worst thing that can happen is you can inadvertently learn French!

The story/translation is good, the actual physical book is of low quality

If you encountered Proust in translation and would like to get a feel for the original, by all means treat yourself to this volume. Even with minimal French, you can encounter the music of the text. Have fun!

I read in graduate school and still have it on my bookshelve (seems always to move with me). I purchased it in French and English for a granddaughter who is taking a French lit class in college

The first time I opened the book the spine broke and pages have come loose. Best shop elsewhere.

I am in love!