This biography investigates the life and creative output of Georges Perec, seeking to reconcile the man's ordinary existence with his complex, experimental literary contributions. David Bellos, a renowned translator and scholar, utilizes extensive archival research and personal correspondence to map Perec's trajectory from his early life in pre-war Eastern Europe to his final days in Australia. The work argues that Perec's oeuvre is inextricably linked to the trauma of the Shoah and the shifting intellectual landscape of post-war France, presenting him as a figure defined by both profound anguish and sharp, comical observation.

This biography is widely regarded as the definitive account of Perec's life, praised for its meticulous research and deep understanding of the author's complex stylistic constraints. The text serves as an essential resource for scholars and readers interested in the intersection of twentieth-century history and experimental literature.