Georges Perec, a revolutionary figure in modern French literature, is celebrated for his innovative and diverse body of work, beginning with his debut novel Les Choses: Une Histoire des années soixante (1965), which translates to Things: A Story of the Sixties. Despite its early commercial success and critical acclaim, Perec's oeuvre has not received the extensive scholarly attention it merits. David Bellos's biography, Georges Perec: A Life in Words, explores the writer's unique journey, illuminating his profound impact on 20th-century literature.

Early Life and Influences

Perec was born on March 7, 1936, in Paris to Polish Jewish immigrants, Icek (Izie) and Cyrla (Cécile) Perec. His upbringing was steeped in a multilingual environment, reflecting the diverse linguistic tapestry of his neighborhood, which included French, Yiddish, Polish, and German, with occasional hints of Russian, Czech, Hungarian, and Romanian. This exposure to multiple languages perhaps ignited his lifelong fascination with words and their power—a theme that permeates his works.

The outbreak of World War II marked the beginning of a tumultuous period for Perec's family. After France and Great Britain's declaration of war on Germany, Izie joined the military and was killed in June 1940. His mother, Cécile, was later interned and tragically perished in Auschwitz. Orphaned, Perec was taken in by his uncle David Bienenfeld, living in a household that provided material comfort, but perhaps lacked emotional warmth.

Education and Early Writing

Perec's formative years included an education at the Collège Geoffroy-Saint-Hilaire and later, a brief stint at the Sorbonne. Despite early academic promise, his tenure at the Sorbonne was short-lived, and he never achieved entrance into the prestigious École Normale Supérieure. However, these years were not without intellectual enrichment; Perec encountered existentialist literature, the New Novel movement, and engaged with the works of Balzac and Camus, all of which informed his future writing style.

During his student years, Perec began publishing literary reviews, encouraged by his teacher Jean Duvignaud. His early unpublished novel, "Les Errants," marked the beginning of a literary journey characterized by experimentation and a defiance of traditional forms.

Professional Life and Breakthrough

In 1960, Perec married Paulette Petras and began working as a scientific archivist, a role that would sustain him financially for nearly two decades. His job, which involved meticulous documentation, fostered a playful engagement with language, evident in his penchant for puns and linguistic games.

Perec's breakthrough came with the publication of Things in 1965, a novel admired for its realistic portrayal of a young couple's life, bound by aspirations and material desires. The work, devoid of deep psychological exploration, instead focused sharply on the objects desired by the protagonists, revealing an underlying emptiness and provoking a melancholic reflection on consumerism and identity.

OuLiPo and Literary Innovation

In 1967, Perec joined OuLiPo (Ouvroir de Littérature Potentielle), a collective of writers and mathematicians dedicated to exploring new literary techniques. This collaboration spurred further innovation, leading to works such as La Disparition (1969), a novel famously composed without the letter 'e'. This work exemplified Perec’s commitment to constraint-based writing, challenging conventional narrative forms and highlighting the potential of linguistic limitations to inspire creativity.

Later Years and Major Works

Perec’s personal life saw significant changes with his separation from Paulette and the beginning of a profound relationship with Catherine Binet. Professionally, he continued to push the boundaries of literature. His magnum opus, Life: A User’s Manual (1978), was crafted meticulously, weaving together myriad narrative forms and showcasing his dexterity in pastiche and varied storytelling techniques. This work earned Perec the 1978 Prix Médicis, cementing his status as a pivotal figure in modern literature.

David Bellos, in Georges...