Best translation

I am thinking about seriously attacking the whole series.

Does anyone have any advice as to which translation I should look for?

I read Swann's Way in one of the old translations - Moncrieff I believe. And the rest of the series - excluding the last one which I am apparently saving - I've read in the new Prendergast translation.

Having not actually read the same material in different translations, I don't know that I can give an authoritative opinion, but I did enjoy reading the Prendergast translations much more. They felt more alive somehow.

Unfortunately, being American, I had to order the last 3 or 4 volumes from England because they are not being published here due to our (ridiculously long) copyright period.

I too haven't read different translations, but I was very pleased with most of the translations in the version I finally read (after many failures, over decades, with earlier translations) -- the multi-translator Penguin editions. (As zip_000 notes, US readers have to order the last volumes from England). I did think some of the translations were better than others.

There is also an earlier thread about this very topic.

Thanks both. And thanks for the link Rebecca - some really pertinent comments there too.