Paperback. Pub Date: 2011 Pages: 224 in Publisher: Vintage Classics Things: A Story of the Sixties is the story of a young couple the who want to enjoy life. but the only way they know how to do so is through ownership of 'things'. Perec's first novel won the Prix Renaudot and became the cult book for a generation. In A Man Asleep. a young student embarks upon a disturbing and exhaustive pursuit of indifference. following his experience in non-existence with relentless logic.