Vercoquin and the Plankton

Vercoquin and the Plankton is a 1947 novel by Boris Vian, a French polymath known for his satire of bureaucracy and nonconformism. The book blends social documentary, scathing satire, and jazz manifesto, depicting the collision of two worlds under the Vichy regime. It follows the lives of characters in Occupied Paris and Looney Tunes, exploring themes of youthful dandyism and murderously maniacal bureaucracy. Vian's diverse talents as a writer, poet, playwright, musician, and engineer earned him recognition as a prominent figure in the postwar Parisian Latin Quarter, influencing artists like Serge Gainsbourg.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 200 pages
Publication date: 01 November 2022
Publisher: Wakefield Press

Vercoquin and the Plankton, a satirical masterpiece penned by the French polymath and author of Foam of the Days, is a captivating exploration of bureaucracy and nonconformism. Written at the youthful age of 23 during the winter of 1943–44, this novel marked the debut of Vians works under his own name. It was published in 1947, just two months after his scandalous I Spit on Your Graves and two months prior to the release of his beloved classic, The Foam of the Days.

This remarkable work blends social documentary, scathing satire, and a jazz manifesto, offering a vivid portrayal of the collision between two worlds under the Vichy regime. On the one hand, we witness the youthful dandyism of the ever-partying Zazous, representing the carefree spirit of the times. On the other, we encounter the murderously maniacal bureaucracy of a governmental office for standardization, symbolizing the oppressive nature of the regime.

Within this roman à clef, drawn from Vians own contradictory lives as a jazz musician on the Left Bank and an engineer at the French National Organization for Standardization, the reader is introduced to a diverse cast of characters inhabiting a world that straddles the line between Occupied Paris and the whimsical realm of Looney Tunes.

Boris Vian, a multifaceted genius who excelled in various artistic and intellectual pursuits, left an indelible mark on the world with his remarkable talent. In a span of just a few short years, he inhabited the roles of writer, poet, playwright, musician, singer/songwriter, translator, music critic, actor, inventor, and engineer. Tragically, his life was cut short when he succumbed to a heart attack at the age of 39, leaving behind a literary legacy that includes ten novels, numerous volumes of short stories, plays, operas, articles, and nearly 500 songs.

Vian is revered as one of the reigning spirits of the postwar Parisian Latin Quarter, a friend to luminaries such as Jean-Paul Sartre, Raymond Queneau, and Miles Davis. He played the trumpet alongside Claude Abadie and Claude Luter, contributing to the vibrant jazz scene of the time. His influence extended to future kindred spirits, including Serge Gainsbourg, who acknowledged his profound impact.

Vercoquin and the Plankton stands as a testament to Vians unparalleled creativity and his ability to navigate the complexities of life with humor and insight. It is a masterpiece that continues to resonate with readers, offering a timeless exploration of bureaucracy, nonconformism, and the human condition.

Weight: 274g
Dimension: 137 x 207 x 17 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781939663825