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brickey's review against another edition
3.0
The map is not the territory is a favorite phrase of mine so I was drawn to this book. I'd read Platform and Elementary Particles several years ago and felt that reading Houellebecq was sort of like the embarassment and laughter of an adolescent boy over dirty jokes and some sad mature male frustration.
But I liked this one because it was wacky but didn't seem gimicky to me. Some of this reminded me of the movie Adaptation but better (appearance of writer in book, wierd pop culture crime genre-like ending). There are fewer instances in this book of his writing seeming to be there to try to just bait you into being offended.
But I liked this one because it was wacky but didn't seem gimicky to me. Some of this reminded me of the movie Adaptation but better (appearance of writer in book, wierd pop culture crime genre-like ending). There are fewer instances in this book of his writing seeming to be there to try to just bait you into being offended.
dadair's review against another edition
4.0
I can't recall reading a modern French novel before. And after reading this I don't know why it took me this long. This was a great read and very interesting. There is a very difference vibe about the writing that one does not find in North American writers.
jamichalski's review against another edition
5.0
I liked this more than Platform and less than The Elementary Particles. It’s true that Houellebecq is writing the same novel each time, or at using least the same characters, but I’m not bothered by that. Houellebecq is not lyricist - the interesting part of his work is that his perception of the world is clear and persuasive. I do think he seems to be a Wikipedia junkie.
Houellebecq inserted himself into this novel, which I empathize with. I just remembered that I have done exactly that before, in short stories.
Jed’s art projects are projects I would like in reality, and the time spent discussing them had the effect of inspiring me artistically.
Houellebecq inserted himself into this novel, which I empathize with. I just remembered that I have done exactly that before, in short stories.
Jed’s art projects are projects I would like in reality, and the time spent discussing them had the effect of inspiring me artistically.
jonfaith's review
5.0
The third section initially gave me pause. It could've been mishandled. I had previously read a review in the UK press and was aware of this turn. The novel as with most of Houellebecq's other work is a chilling portrait of our reality, our naked humanity isn't what we'd hope for, it is slithering that way regardless.
vitalbeachyeah's review
4.0
+ You have to appreciate a book in which the author inserts himself as a central character, then has himself gruesomely murdered half-way through, before describing in loving detail his own funeral. Houellebecq has a lot of fun with the absurdities arising from this.
- Self-consciously an Important Book About Modern Society, with the problems inherent to that sort of novel; we're asked to feel the existential angst of the rich white male protagonist and listen attentively at the feet of the author whilst he reveals to us, in his wisdom, the isolated nature of the modern individual and the future of the French economy.
thingtwo's review
2.0
I really don't get the hype here. I kept reading, hoping things would get better, but it continued to bore the heck out of me. Again, two stars because I finished it. Maybe the French know something I don't know ... ?
elric555's review against another edition
4.0
Loved this book! Looking forwardd to reading more Houellebecq