Super Short Summary

The Bark Tree by Raymond Queneau is a non-linear "anti-novel" that explores the interconnected lives of individuals in the lower classes of Paris. The book opens with the musings of a man watching another man board a train, sparking a chain of events and gossip that tie the characters together. The story is driven not by character development or a central theme but by the characters' interest in each other's lives, creating a mosaic of human experiences and everyday events. The novel contains scenes involving death, dreams, and romantic interest.