This collection of transcribed conversations investigates the intersection of the mundane and the profound in the life and creative process of Marguerite Duras. Duras, a celebrated French novelist and filmmaker, engages in a series of candid dialogues with her friend Jerome Beaujour to deconstruct her own history. By focusing on the 'practicalities' of existence, she challenges traditional biographical structures, opting instead for a fragmented, honest exploration of her personal struggles and artistic philosophy.

The text offers a raw, unfiltered look at Duras's psyche, functioning as a vital companion piece to her more formal literary works. The conversational format provides an accessible entry point into her complex worldview while maintaining the intellectual rigor expected of her writing.