Georges Perec Quotes

A collection of quotes by Georges Perec.

Georges Perec (1936-1982) was a highly influential French author and member of the literary movement known as Oulipo (Ouvroir de littérature potentielle or Workshop of Potential Literature). Born in Paris, Perec lost his parents in World War II and was raised by his aunt and uncle. He went on to study sociology and worked as a librarian, which allowed him to delve into his passion for literature and writing.

Perec's writing style was characterized by his meticulous attention to detail, intricate structures, and playful experimentation with language and form. His works often explored the themes of memory, identity, and the human experience, reflecting his own personal history as well as the post-war period in France. One of his most famous works, "Life: A User's Manual" (1978), presents a puzzle-like narrative set in an apartment building and intricately weaves together the stories and lives of its inhabitants.

Perec's writing was also characterized by his fascination with constraints and rules. He embraced the principles of Oulipo, which involved imposing formal constraints on his writing, such as using lipograms (texts that exclude certain letters) or writing an entire novel without using the letter "e" (as he did in "A Void" or "La Disparition"). These constraints challenged him to push the boundaries of creativity and language.

Georges Perec made a significant impact on French literature, earning numerous awards and accolades during his career. His unique and innovative approach to storytelling continues to inspire and influence writers around the world.