Swann's Way


Read by LibriVox Volunteers

(4.1 stars; 73 reviews)

Swann's Way introduces readers to the intricate world of Marcel Proust's monumental work, In Search of Lost Time. This first volume unfolds through a blend of autobiographical narrative and rich, introspective prose, exploring themes of memory, time, and the nature of art.

At the heart of the story is the character of Charles Swann, whose experiences and reflections serve as a lens through which Proust examines the complexities of love and desire. The narrative is interwoven with the famous episode of the Madeleine, a poignant moment that encapsulates the power of involuntary memory and its ability to transport us to the past.

Set against the backdrop of late 19th-century France, Swann's Way invites listeners to delve into a richly detailed exploration of social dynamics and personal relationships. Proust's distinctive style, characterized by long, flowing sentences and deep psychological insight, sets this work apart as a profound meditation on the human experience.

Chapters

Select a chapter to play

Overture, Part 1 36:42 Read by Denny Sayers (d. 2015)
Overture, Part 2 49:33 Read by Denny Sayers (d. 2015)
Overture, Part 3 35:07 Read by Denny Sayers (d. 2015)
Overture, Part 4 38:50 Read by Denny Sayers (d. 2015)
Combray, Part 1 47:02 Read by Andrew Coleman
Combray, Part 2 47:41 Read by Andrew Coleman
Combray, Part 3 49:22 Read by Andrew Coleman
Combray, Part 4 45:21 Read by Andrew Coleman
Combray, Part 5 41:49 Read by Andrew Coleman
Combray, Part 6 48:25 Read by Andrew Coleman
Combray, Part 7 48:54 Read by Andrew Coleman
Combray, Part 8 44:51 Read by Andrew Coleman
Combray, Part 9 35:41 Read by Andrew Coleman
Combray, Part 10 38:06 Read by Andrew Coleman
Swann in Love, Part 1 53:30 Read by Denny Sayers (d. 2015)
Swann in Love, Part 2 56:28 Read by Denny Sayers (d. 2015)
Swann in Love, Part 3 50:34 Read by Denny Sayers (d. 2015)
Swann in Love, Part 4 55:08 Read by Denny Sayers (d. 2015)
Swann in Love, Part 5 57:06 Read by Denny Sayers (d. 2015)
Swann in Love, Part 6 52:28 Read by Denny Sayers (d. 2015)
Swann in Love, Part 7 54:18 Read by Denny Sayers (d. 2015)
Swann in Love, Part 8 57:18 Read by Denny Sayers (d. 2015)
Swann in Love, Part 9 54:10 Read by Denny Sayers (d. 2015)
Swann in Love, Part 10 59:54 Read by Denny Sayers (d. 2015)
Swann in Love, Part 11 58:42 Read by Denny Sayers (d. 2015)
Swann in Love, Part 12 54:50 Read by Denny Sayers (d. 2015)
Swann in Love, Part 13 49:23 Read by Denny Sayers (d. 2015)
Place-Names: The Name, Part 1 45:32 Read by Andrew Coleman
Place-Names: The Name, Part 2 42:58 Read by Andrew Coleman
Place-Names: The Name, Part 3 47:23 Read by Andrew Coleman

Reviews

Listen and be richly rewarded!


(5 stars)

If you are like me and find reading Scott Moncrieff's Proust quite a challenging experience: endless sentences, little or no paragraphing, hardly a chapter division in sight - then you will find this audiobook a richly rewarding experience. Neither Andrew Coleman or the late Denny Sayers possesses a conventional audiobook voice (Oxbridge, received English) but what both offer is intelligence, sensitivity and, most important of all, an understanding of how Proust's unique narrating voice must be subtly paced, layered with the right pauses, to be properly understood and appreciated. The joy of this top quality Librivox recording is that in this way Proust and his world come vividly alive.


(5 stars)

Tried to read this a few times without success. Discovered this audiobook and sat back and relaxed into this spoken word version. Well done. Very enjoyable

Pure Poetry


(5 stars)

I have read this masterpiece many times; how wonderful to hear someone read it to me! Bravo!


(5 stars)

Beautiful book for all times. Touching my inner core and exciting it.


(2 stars)

Severely marred by the reader's speech impediment, and his poor French pronunciation.


(1 star)

Ramblings, tedious minute descriptions of lying in bed. Devoid of focused thought. Less focused than an episode of the three stooges.