This generous selection of Georges Perec's nonfiction, the first to appear in English, features ingenious contemplations on the ways in which we occupy urban and domestic space, engrossing accounts of his experiences with psychoanalysis, depictions of the Paris of his childhood, thought-provoking examinations of the "infra ordinary" -- the commonplace items of our lives eluding our attention -- and a short story executed with a Borges-like finesse. Species of Spaces and Other Pieces puts us in the presence of a virtuoso writer, whom Italo Calvino called "one of the most significant literary personalities in the world".
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About the Author
One of the most important post-war French novelists, Georges Perec was only 42 when he died in 1982. He is the author of LIFE, A USER'S MANUAL. THE WINTER JOURNEY has been published as a Penguin Syren. John Sturrock is an editor at the London Review of Books.
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33 of 34 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Originally commissioned by his architect friend, Species of Spaces is a meditation on the spaces which we occupy and the ways in which we order them. Forming the main section of this book, it is also one of its highlights: original, informed and often witty. It's a piece which takes a fresh look at what surrounds us, offering a refreshing perspective on how we live. The rest of the book is taken up with a collection of pieces ranging from the autobiographical to the surreal. Some of these pieces are extremely compelling pieces of storytelling, while others give you an insight into the oblique perspective of Perec. Occasionally, however, there is a weaker piece which, being a completist text, it is naturally hard to avoid. But this considered, as a whole the book is a special collection which should form part of any Perec fan's bookcase.
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
By Bartlebooth
Format:Paperback
this is one of the most beautiful and accessible works by Georges Perec. An essay on the way in which we use space and how we might consider other forms of inhabitation from our bedroom to the universe. It's lightness would have delighted his friend and collaborator Italo Calvino (see Six Memos for the Next Millennium (Penguin Modern Classics)). It's full of humour and linguistic dexterity but also pathos. if there are shortcomings in the world we live in, perhaps these are our own responsibility for not caring and not looking deeply or imaginatively at the what surrounds us. One of my favourite books and most repeated gift to friends.
20 of 23 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
I'm a big fan of Mr Perec and other Oulipo writers, and I reckon this is a fine introduction to his range and vitality as a writer. I return to the different pieces again and again, they are thought-provoking and insightful by turns. Especially good are Think/classify, the title-piece and his thoughts on fashion. In these short works, his interest in penetrating the world we inhabit through the things around us often termed mundane is really refreshing. Sociology is made accessible here and distilled with literary and linguistic knowledge to make a quite unique mix.
For such a technical master, Perec also manages to move on an emotive level - Rue Vilin is a piece about periodic returns to the street where his ma lived before she was taken by the Nazis. Also, the analysis of his psycho analysis is revealing without ever saying too much.
Finally, the translations manage to keep the readability of the selections very well I thought.
One criticism is that there were not more pieces included, perhaps some more Oulipo related work might have been put in - there is not much of this translated into English, although it is maybe not the easiest of tasks to do well.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
nice book
really useful to the architecture students, it shows a new way to explore space and learn from the info-ordinary thing surrounding us.
Published 7 months ago by Eliza
3.0 out of 5 stars
over rated
It is nice in parts, but too much panning for too little gold. The "art of elucidation" is after a while boring and annoying and it is questionable whether a phenomenology of... Read more
Published 11 months ago by gardenboy
5.0 out of 5 stars
genius
The cleverest man who ever died, bit doesnt make you feel stupid- only more aware of the things and words around you. A great accompanyment to "A Void" and "Life... Read more
Published on 14 April 2004
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