Set amid the salon society of fin-de-siecle Paris, these captivating tales offer satirical and moving depictions of metropolitan life. Proust's stunning debut chronicles the lives, loves, manners, and motivations of a fascinating cast of characters. These philosophical reflections, brief narratives, and prose poems established the 22-year-old author as a remarkable collector of exquisitely poignant sensations and recollections.Appropriate for intermediate-level students of French, this dual-language volume is equally suited to classroom use and to independent study. New English translations appear on pages facing the original French text. Readers will find this volume a fascinating introduction to the works of a key figure of French literature as well as a valuable aid to mastering one of the world's most enchanting languages.