Vercoquin and the Plankton by Boris Vian. Short summary

5 seconds

A combination of absurdity and human vices. A novel that shows noisy carefree parties and contrasts «adult» life and even war.

1 minute

Major is a man who always and everywhere throws a party, regardless of circumstance or setting. Scolopendre and Plankton are also the heroes of the piece.

The characters burn through their lives at rowdy parties that drive you crazy with their dancing, cocktails, powerful cars, and beautiful women. In contrast, there is another world — one where adults live with their cares.

The novel touches on the theme of war. It is difficult to speak of a particular plot line, as the work is a mixture of surrealism and utter absurdity. The novel begins with a description of noisy parties and the obscenities that go on there. It concludes with the reasoning of the rather shabby protagonists that they are probably not cut out for marriage.