Edition

May I suggest that we adopt this edition:

Moncrieff/Kilmartin translation

Vintage Classics New Ed Edn.

(published 5th Dec 1996)

I (and Alexis) already own it.

Inspiration

The genesis of this enterprise should of course also be included. The original All-England Summarize Proust Competition can be seen here

Regulation

A - excellent use of technology here; very web 2.0 (actually, I'm not sure it is, but I've never really understood the difference between normal and 2.0)

As a regulator, I feel it should be my role here to begin a discussion on ground rules. Here are some thoughts, including those already discussed:

1. We must agree editions. I'll acquire mine and we can all synchronise
2. Start date: I propose September
3. Some form of standard reporting should adorn each post; I would have thought
- current page
- pages read since last post
- other books read since last post
- summary to date (in a sentence or even a word)
then the detailed post can follow.

I think that would allow maximum freedom, but a sound base. It does leave open the question: can others join? I would have thought they can, provided they have not started Proust already.

Thoughts?

Commencer

Having purchased Swann's Way (£2.50, Amnesty Bookshop, Cambridge) just 9 days ago I feel that there can be no backing out at this stage. Of course, I've been a little pre-occupied of late with another volume purchased that very same day: that being a book describing the adventures of a certain boy wizard. One wonders whether a similar degree of hysteria surrounded the midnight launch, in 1927, of Le Temps Retrouvé - the conclusion of another 7 part series .