Writing a novel is a daunting task, but imagine writing a novel without using the letter "E". That's exactly what Georges Perec did in his book, "La Disparition" (The Disappearance in English).
The Challenge
Georges Perec was a French writer and a member of the literary group, Oulipo. Oulipo was a group of writers and mathematicians who created works of literature using various constraints or rules. One of their most famous constraints was the "lipogram", a text that excludes one or more letters of the alphabet.
In "La Disparition", Perec challenged himself to write an entire novel without using the letter "e". He wanted to see if he could create a compelling story without relying on one of the most common letters in the French language.
The Plot
The plot of "La Disparition" revolves around the disappearance of Anton Vowl, a wealthy man who is also a member of a secret society. The novel follows the efforts of his friends, Sam and Amaury Conson, to find him.
The novel is full of twists and turns, with the reader never quite sure what is going to happen next. Perec's writing is captivating, and the lack of the letter "e" doesn't detract from the story.
The Process
Writing a novel without the letter "e" is no easy feat. Perec had to be creative with his language, using synonyms and alternative phrases to convey his ideas. He also had to be careful not to slip up and accidentally use the letter "e".
Perec spent three years writing "La Disparition". He wrote the entire novel by hand, using a typewriter that didn't have the letter "e" on its keyboard. The novel was eventually published in 1969 and was a critical success.
The Legacy
"La Disparition" is considered a masterpiece of experimental literature. It is a testament to Perec's skill as a writer that he was able to create such a captivating story without relying on one of the most common letters in the French language.
The novel has been translated into several languages, including English, and has inspired other writers to experiment with constraints in their own work.
In Conclusion
Georges Perec's "La Disparition" is a truly remarkable achievement. Writing a novel without the letter "e" is a challenge that few writers would attempt, but Perec pulled it off with aplomb. The novel is a testament to his skill as a writer and his creativity as a member of Oulipo.