SWANN'S WAY

Because SWANN'S WAY, the first volume of REMEMBRANCE OF THINGS PAST, is the author's reflection on events decades-old and highly revered, John Rowe's soft-spoken, even-toned narration seems right. Rowe gives equal weight to the minute and the profound. In that, he shows an appreciation of Proust's genius at discovering universal human truths by tirelessly dissecting the overlying details, in this case, details of nineteenth-century French society. Rowe pronounces the many French family and place names seamlessly, placing no obstacle in the way of the listener, who would be lulled into thinking she's hearing Proust himself tell his story. T.F. © AudioFile 2000, Portland, Maine [Published: APR/MAY 00]