Bright Summaries - The Life Before Us by Romain Gary (Book Analysis): Detailed Summary, Analysis and Reading Guide

The son of a prostitute, Momo, an 11-year-old boy, lives in a sixth-floor walkup in Madame Rosas apartment in Belleville. He does not discover his origins until later, when he meets his father for the first time, who teaches him the circumstances of his mothers death and his real age. All this time, Madame Rosa had lied to him out of love, to keep him with her longer. Along with Mose, Banania and Michel, he is one of the children left in the care of Madame Rosa by their prostituted mothers in return for money. The childrens guardian is an Auschwitz survivor and suffers from many anxieties. One day, Momo discovers a Jewish hideout, a secret place hidden in the cellar: Madame Rosa asks him not to tell anyone, and he doesnt. From then on, taking advantage of her fears, the children amuse themselves by suddenly ringing the doorbell in order to put her in incredible states of panic.

There, Momo spends time with Mr. Hamil, with whom he discusses the wisdom of life. For need of affection, the boy asks for a dog and decides to steal a small grey poodle, who he calls Super. He quickly grows attached, yet he gives it to a rich lady in exchange for five hundred francs, which he immediately throws into a manhole. Concerned about this outbreak of anger, Madame Rosa wonders if it may be something hereditary and consults Dr. Katz, who reassures her about it. However, in Dr. Katzs waiting room, Momo tells how he has brought along his lioness, an imaginary friend who is a source of comfort for the child, which resuscitates Madame Rosas nightmares. He also creates a friend: Arthur, a dressed-up umbrella with whom he goes out onto the street to perform comedy and pick up some money.

Madame Rosa receives a visit from the neighborhood pimp, Mr. NDa Amde, for whom she writes letters. One of his two bodyguards takes Momo on his knee, which prompts a new outbreak of violence from the child.

It is discovered that Madame Rosas health is deteriorating little by little: Momo is worried for her and for himself. She needs to go to the hospital, but she refuses the use of intensive medication. Concerned about their fate, Momo goes to Pigalle to bring back some money through prostitution: he only manages to attract the attention of the prostitutes who pamper him like their child. He meets Madame Nadine when admiring the window of a department store at the opera: it is a mechanical circus where stars, tightrope walkers, clowns and their games are set in motion. In a surge of hope, he follows her home.

We learn that this is the day he has chosen to be his birthday: yet, he is all alone for the celebrations and wants to die. He then goes to Mr. Hamils house, who is also aging. That day, Momo accidentally bumps into Madame Nadine again. He follows her to a room where he sees a scene in which the images move in reverse: It was like a movie theater, except that everyone was walking backwards.

The girl works in a dubbing studio: Its her job to make the people talk in a human voice in the cinema. Momo is fascinated by the possibility of going back in time.

Meanwhile, Madame Rosas condition is getting worse: she experiences long episodes of memory loss and fears she will be diagnosed with cancer and end up stuck in hospital, like a vegetable. While the neighborhood and Mr. Hamil learn that Madame Rosa is sick, Momo prefers to roam the streets rather than stay beside a withering Madame Rosa.

The neighborhood takes action for Madame Rosa: Lola (a transvestite neighbor) helps, and the Zaoum brothers (movers) offer their services to transport the old lady: they take her around the streets. Mr. Hamil, also weakened by old age, repeats to Momo that he is not a normal boy. One day, he finds Madam Rosa naked in the apartment, in the middle of trying to get dressed to go to work. The boy thinks that by exposing her to strong feelings, she will get back to her old self.

Then comes the national disaster: Momo meets his father, Kadir Youssef, for the first time. After having been incarcerated in a psychiatric hospital after the murder of his wife, a prostitute and Momos mother, Youssef barges in one afternoon when Madame Rosa is of sound mind in order to recover his son, who he had left with her eleven years earlier. Madame Rosa then pretends that she received two children on the same day and she had mistaken one for the other. She passed Mose (Jewish) off as the son of Kadir Youssef (Muslim) who, out of emotion at hearing the news, dies of a heart attack. Momo is thrilled that he is suddenly four years older, but wonders if he will soon be alone once again. He sees Madame Nadine and her husband again, in a state of shock, and forms a bond with the couple, to whom he tells his story. However, the bond is broken when Madame Nadines children arrive and, feeling judged, Momo runs away.

Shortly after, Dr. Katz firmly states that Madame Rosa must be transferred to the hospital. Momo then asks him to euthanize her. He refuses, but is moved by his request and highlights his sensitivity.

While the doctor insists that Madame Rosa be taken to hospital, Momo lies to her about the imminent arrival of the family from Israel completely imaginary who will take care of her. The hospital is thus no longer necessary. Madame Rosa, who had heard everything, thanks Momo for his lie.