At the end of May I took great delight in spending much of the half term week wallowing in books. As well as a most wonderful re-read of “The Master and Margarita”, I was able to return to a favourite author who I’ve not read for a little while – Georges Perec. Probably best-known for his book “Life: A User’s Manual“, I’ve written about him many times on the Ramblings and have read just about everything of his which has been translated into English. However, a rummage revealed that there was on book on the shelves which I’d not read, and this is a rather unusual one… “53 Days”, as it’s titled in my translation (by David Bellos), was the book Perec was working on at his untimely death in 1982, so it’s unfinished. However, that’s never stopped me before (“Sanditon” and “The Mystery of Edwin Drood” spring to mind…) and this felt like the ideal book to pick up after the Bulgakov.
Perec left only 11 chapters of the book completely drafted, and this edition is made up of those plus some uncompleted chapters and a slew of notes, all edited by Perec’s fellow Oulipians, Harry Mathews and Jacques Roubaud. It was intended as a literary thriller, and it’s set in a tropical French ex-colony, Grianta; narrated by a teacher at the local lycee, it relates the story of his escapades in tracking down a missing crime-writer called Robert Serval. The latter, also living in Grianta in a kind of exile, is very well known but has disappeared in mysterious circumstances. The narrator is initially uncertain as to why he, a humble schoolteacher, has been approached to hunt for the writer; but the local consul reveals that Serval claimed to have been at school with the narrator. Serval has also left behind the typescript of an unfinished novel, ‘The Crypt’, which may reveal clues to his disappearance. Frankly, the narrator cannot resist…
However, he’s obviously stepped into what shows signs of becoming a labyrinthine plot! The narrator gives us a plot summary of ‘The Crypt’; he seeks out the typist who prepared the manuscript, and she reveals the works which seem to have influenced Serval’s writing, which include Agatha Christie’s ‘And Then There Were None’; and the narrator begins to explore the other books which she mentions, relating plot after plot until the reader is somewhat dizzied by what are referred to as nested narratives.These books within books add wonderful layers to the story. Add in the works of Stendhal, local gangsters, corruption, and the general unrest in the colony, and it’s clear that “53” was intended to be a complex and puzzling thriller – but as the notes reveal, that was to work on more levels than just one.
…it is not humanly possible to give an intelligible plot summary…
About half of the book is taken up by the completed chapters and the rest draws on Perec’s notes and notebooks; these make fascinating reading in their own right, just for a chance to see how his mind worked. He was obviously building all kinds of Oulipian puzzles into the narrative, which may or may not have been decipherable by the general reader, and these included all kinds of word and number riddles. At one point, the notes hint at five different novels/levels of the narrative, and that’s quite fascinating; you can see the incredibly fertility of Perec’s mind at work, testing theories, questioning what he’s done and speculating on where he’ll take the story. The hints at the final denouement/resolution reveal a breathtaking concept!
So how does this come across to the general reader (ie me!), being incomplete as it is? Well, I enjoyed it immensely. The part of the story which exists is wonderful to read, and just makes me with that a. there was more of Perec’s work available in translation or b. that I could read French properly. His writing is always entertaining and devilishly clever, really keeping you on your toes as you read. His creation of Grianta and its population is very convincing, and I did warm to his poor narrator. From the first pages he’s wrong-footed, as although Serval claims to have been at school with him, our narrator has no memory of this and can’t even find Serval in an old school photo. And as early as the second page, Perec’s narrative refers to crosswords and whodunits and labyrinths, so you know what you’re getting into! The twists and turns in what exists of the story were often quite bamboozling and I suspect that if Perec had finished this I would have been thoroughly flummoxed!
But as a huge fan of Perec’s writing, the big bonus is the notes and notebooks. Mathews and Roubaud even chose to reproduce images of some of Perec’s writing, which I loved being able to see. Perec had spent time in Australia towards the end of 1981, as writer-in-residence at a University, and he was excited about working on “53 Days”. However, on his return to France he was feeling ill, and within months he died, leaving the book unfinished. It’s a tragedy he died so young, and sad that he left this book uncompleted. However, I’m so happy that Mathews and Roubaud pieced together what there is and that Bellos translated it. I feel privileged to have read the last book Perec was working on, and his plans for its final form; and will now be scouring my Oulipo shelves to see if there is anything else of his which I still have unread. If not – it will be time for some re-reads!
Jun 12, 2024 @ 09:48:14
This sounds quite intriguing, Kaggsy, and such a treat to find an unread work by a favorite author. Because I’ve never read Perec, however, I’d hesitate to start here. Any recommendations?
Jun 12, 2024 @ 18:58:37
Perec is wonderful so anything I can find is essential for me! As for where to start, that’s difficult. I agree not here! I read what’s regarded as his masterpiece, “Life: A User’s Manual” first and adored it, so that’s not a bad place to start!
Jun 12, 2024 @ 10:26:06
Your Perec reviews are a constant reminder that I’d be sure to enjoy his writing, if and when I ever pick up one of his titles. How could I resist, in an admittedly incomplete work, nested narratives, ‘tec tropes and a thriller set in an exotic location?!
Jun 12, 2024 @ 18:56:48
I think you would enjoy him Chris! And this one has so many fascinating elements – I just wish he’d been able to finish it!!
Jun 12, 2024 @ 12:09:26
Oh, this does sound intriguing! I like the premise, and it’s fascinating to think about the perspective those notes could give on the story. One wonders what the story would actually have been like if he’d lived to complete it.
Jun 12, 2024 @ 18:56:05
It’s really clever Margot, and I only wish he’d lived to complete it. The notes are a really tantalising hint as to where the book would have gone!
Jun 12, 2024 @ 19:25:53
Thanks for yet another intriguing and inspiring review. This book does sound ‘right up your street’ so I can understand why you enjoyed it so much. I still have Perec to try as a neophyte so will try to get hold of a copy of Life A User’s Manual perhaps for starters.
Jun 13, 2024 @ 15:41:41
It’s a very me book, yes, but I would definitely say read some of his other works first. Life is his magnum opus I think, but once you’ve read that there are plenty of other books to explore!
Jun 12, 2024 @ 20:44:44
Always difficult with unfinished works knowing whether to wish it was finished or just be glad it exists! I read this years ago and remember being entertained despite its half-formed nature – your review makes me want to re-read it!
Jun 13, 2024 @ 15:40:25
Agreed – in this case I’m glad it’s here and was put together so well by his friends. It’s so very entertaining, as you say, and even though unfinished there’s a lot to be got from reading it!
Jun 12, 2024 @ 21:54:17
This seems a fabulous edition!
Jun 13, 2024 @ 15:36:50
It’s brilliantly put together – a real labour of love by Perec’s Oulipian colleagues, I feel.
Jun 13, 2024 @ 13:39:20
This really sounds like a compelling story, both the chapters Perec left behind and those notes showing his creative process. I must admit, I have sometimes found reading unfinished works a little frustrating.
Jun 13, 2024 @ 15:35:51
It’s fascinating Ali – I loved the bit of the story which does exist, and the notes make me wish the rest of had been finished. I know what you mean about unfinished books – I just wish every author finished their books before they died!! 🤣
Jun 13, 2024 @ 17:26:01
Ohhh, that copy is the same edition I have of A Void. Oh no. /coveting
Jun 14, 2024 @ 10:51:52
🤣🤣🤣 Now you’ve got me coveting your copy of A Void as I have the ordinary Penguin!!!
Jun 14, 2024 @ 18:51:09
Well, we could swap, but, […]
Jun 14, 2024 @ 19:40:13
🤣🤣🤣
Jun 13, 2024 @ 18:35:41
One of my favourite novels is Gaskell’s Wives and Daughters – unfinished books can still be so enjoyable! I really must dig Perec out of the TBR, I’m sure I’d enjoy him.
Jun 14, 2024 @ 10:50:42
They can, Madame B – I really enjoyed The Mystery of Edwin Drood! I hope you enjoy Perec, he’s a huge favourite of mine!
Jun 14, 2024 @ 05:40:03
I have yet to get my head around Oulipian puzzles but looking at this one definition “OULIPO formulas is “N+7,” in which the writer takes a poem already in existence and substitutes each of the poem’s substantive nouns with the noun appearing seven nouns away in the dictionary.” I think this would be fun. And reading the Master and Margarita. I read it last year and enjoyed it but I think it is a book that really requires 2 or more readings to get more from it.
Jun 14, 2024 @ 10:49:58
Oupilian puzzles are very mind boggling, and I get a bit lost sometimes – but I really do enjoy the wordplay, and it was very on show here. As for M&M I definitely agree that re-reads are the best – I find more every time I revisit it!
Jun 17, 2024 @ 18:11:57
How lovely to have some reproductions of his notebooks included – sounds like the editors and translator did a great job.
Jun 17, 2024 @ 19:50:47
They really did, and all of those extras were wonderful!