Wednesday, April 01, 2009

Translating Proust

Lydia Davis or Scott Montcrieff? I have the old Montcrieff translations. This blogger went for Davis. Both are superb. Which one are you reading?
Odette
Last night I read and read. The dinner at the Guermantes goes on for almost as long as the reception at Mme. de Villeparsis. Oh society! The narrator is smitten by the aristocrats. So mannerly, so suave, so je ne sais pas. I do believe they have pulled the wool over Marcel's eyes.

1 comment:

Story teller - Krishnadas Dwija said...

I too am reading Moncrieff’s translation, and am about halfway in Swann's Way. He is almost in love. The description of the formative stages of their relationship beats anything I have ever read.