The book is an ironic counterblast to Marcel Proust, whose reputation had unexpectedly eclipsed that of André Gide (who had provided the model of littérature engagée for Sartre's generation).
Knjiga je ironičan protunapad na Marcela Prousta, čija je reputacija neočekivano zamračila onu Andréa Gidea (koji je Sartreovoj generaciji bio modelom angažirane književnosti).