A small, provincial university invites the mysterious and renowned Swedish author Jesper Thorn to participate in a conference, never imagining he will grace them with his presence. When, to everyone’s surprise, the intimidating Thorn accepts their offer, literary theory meets reality head on. A hilarious scenario ensues as the academic community searches for veiled references in the author’s every move, while Thorn works hard at maintaining his reputation as "mad artist."
A biographer decides to uncover the man behind the mask. With the help of a Swedish private investigator, he learns of a secret from Thorn’s past which provides insight into the man and his work. But in life, as in literature, nothing is ever as it seems, and Jesper Thorn once again shows his readers he has the upper hand.
Written with great irony and humor, La littérature is a most clever response to the eternal question "What is literature?"