Rare presentation copy
PEREC, Georges. La Vie mode d'emploi. Paris: Hachette. 1979.
8vo. Cream wrappers printed in black and red; pp. [12], 15-699, [7]; wrappers slightly toned with a few spots and marks, some creasing and two short tears to spine; internally clean with occasional marks and creases; overall very good; "Pour Nicole Amicalement Gperec" to half-title.
Early reissue, a very rare presentation copy inscribed by the author in the final years of his life.
La Vie mode d'emploi (English title Life: A User's Manual) is arguably Georges Perec's most famous novel, first published by Hachette in 1978 and translated into English by David Bellos in 1987. The title page describes it as "romans" in the plural, a subtle hint towards the multiplicity of narratives that unfold throughout the text. Though often cited as an example of postmodern fiction, Perec resisted such labels, his only enduring affiliation being with the Oulipo (Ouvroir de Littérature Potentielle, or Workshop of potential literature), a loose collective of predominantly French-speaking writers and mathematicians dedicated to crafting works through constrained writing techniques.
La Vie mode d'emploi intricately weaves together numerous stories, ideas, and literary and historical allusions, centring on the lives of the inhabitants of a fictional Parisian apartment building at 11 rue Simon-Crubellier. Written according to a complex set of formal constraints, the novel’s structure adds layers of depth and intricacy, showcasing Perec's experimental approach to storytelling.
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