This unique book presents an early version of Marcel Proust's A l'ombre des jeunes filles en fleurs. Rather than working backwards from the final version as is usually done, Bales traces the evolution of the text from basic typescript through various manuscript corrections to the edition that was to be published in 1914, had war not intervened. Written entirely in French, the book includes an introduction that details the principal problems encountered in working with Proust's manuscript.