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notyourmanicpixiedreamgirl's review against another edition
5.0
One of Houllebecq's most ambitious works, it is in line with the themes of his previous novels. Fragmentation of modern society, youth and sexuality in an aging society, and happiness in a world in which values are no longer what they once were. This novel is comprised of two parallel narratives, both centered around the character of Daniel. The first is the surrounding the life the original human Daniel while the other follows the life of one of his neo-human clones. There are connections between the parallel stories. The original Daniel gradually loses faith in humanity, love, sexual relations, while the cloned Daniel emerges from a completely isolated environment to realize his desire and possibility of human contact, both social and sexual.
Both story lines seem to portray Houellebecq's vision of the logical progression of contemporary society. Each clone lives a secluded existence designed to shield the neo-humans from pain and suffering which has been determined as an inherent component of human existence. Contact with others is purely through technology while the outside world has degenerated into savagery.
For Houellebecq, the world in which Daniel 1 lives in is a world where everything is taken too far. Where sex once sold it now is equitable to power and it't no longer men who have that power. Youth is everything in this world. Appearing young is so important that when one loses the ability to do that existence no longer seems to have purpose. Love is no longer really a part of their world. Science is extremely advanced to the point where people are no longer really necessary. In short, the world Houellebecq has created is beyond bleak.
Houellebcq takes existentialism to the modern generation. I found this book insightful and thought provoking. I love Houellebecq's ability to delve into issues that are on the precipice of existence in our society.
Both story lines seem to portray Houellebecq's vision of the logical progression of contemporary society. Each clone lives a secluded existence designed to shield the neo-humans from pain and suffering which has been determined as an inherent component of human existence. Contact with others is purely through technology while the outside world has degenerated into savagery.
For Houellebecq, the world in which Daniel 1 lives in is a world where everything is taken too far. Where sex once sold it now is equitable to power and it't no longer men who have that power. Youth is everything in this world. Appearing young is so important that when one loses the ability to do that existence no longer seems to have purpose. Love is no longer really a part of their world. Science is extremely advanced to the point where people are no longer really necessary. In short, the world Houellebecq has created is beyond bleak.
Houellebcq takes existentialism to the modern generation. I found this book insightful and thought provoking. I love Houellebecq's ability to delve into issues that are on the precipice of existence in our society.
ell_zetko's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
thecassowary's review against another edition
1.0
I really had to push through smothering depression inspired by the bleak themes of this book in order to actually finish it.
youdontsendme's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
eskimonika's review against another edition
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
teaenjoyer's review against another edition
3.5
7 ꙳
a quite realistic science fiction novel ( which tries to presume the future of eastern europian countries based on islamic religion, obsession with youth and mechanic relationships with little to no feelings involved ), with slow paced action and a touch of cynicism resulting from the author's nihilistic approach. the author destructively undermines all the values that are important for modern people, showing an almost inevitable destruction in the coming years of humanity's existence, in this book he focuses mainly on the idea of eternal life, showing it in the most real way - in the form of a cult that can renew the DNA after the death of the original, creating a human being2 , after about 60 years, once again creating a human being3 ( whom needs to read the story of his original - human being1 ) until the predicted leader appears to completely end humanity and start the era of neohumans. sometimes it felt like the sect part was written by somebody else, which is an awesome example of how daniel1 couldn't care less about. i think it's important to say that while reading, one must not pay close attention to sexism in order to actually understand houllebecq's messages. i think it's important to emphatize that the book is not meant to be received in one specific way - the most important message that michealin tries to convey is the fact that the only thing "human" left in modern people is an almost animal desire for sex and fear of unavoidable old age, followed by a lack of sex. an important theme is the duality between the main character's relationship with isabelle and esther. one ( isabelle - peer ) became more and more static every year, started to hate her body and stopped being a breakthrough girl and ( what is important for the main character daniel1 ) stopped having sex out of mentioned self-hatred. only intelligence remained. while the other one (esther - a 20-year-old woman) was go-getting, she knew exactly what she wanted, how to please men and how to never get bored - she was perfect for daniel1 ( it's a pity that he wasn't perfect for her ). he deluded himself that he truly loved her. he ran into the problem that he loved a girl who wasn't looking for love, and he craved a woman who preferred settling down and having completily peaceful life, because of the trauma of working at a newspaper that mostly focused on "pre-overdue" women. personally, i was more intrigued by isabelle's thread, because esther's character was too silly (that was the author's intention - i just don't like insignificant chatter, even though I can admit that her part was important, i feel like he choose living in eternity because of her wildness and a will to be free.) the names of the main characters reek of the bible. overall it's a good book with predictable ending and an expected ending fits the cynical atmosphere of the book.
a quite realistic science fiction novel ( which tries to presume the future of eastern europian countries based on islamic religion, obsession with youth and mechanic relationships with little to no feelings involved ), with slow paced action and a touch of cynicism resulting from the author's nihilistic approach. the author destructively undermines all the values that are important for modern people, showing an almost inevitable destruction in the coming years of humanity's existence, in this book he focuses mainly on the idea of eternal life, showing it in the most real way - in the form of a cult that can renew the DNA after the death of the original, creating a human being2 , after about 60 years, once again creating a human being3 ( whom needs to read the story of his original - human being1 ) until the predicted leader appears to completely end humanity and start the era of neohumans. sometimes it felt like the sect part was written by somebody else, which is an awesome example of how daniel1 couldn't care less about. i think it's important to say that while reading, one must not pay close attention to sexism in order to actually understand houllebecq's messages. i think it's important to emphatize that the book is not meant to be received in one specific way - the most important message that michealin tries to convey is the fact that the only thing "human" left in modern people is an almost animal desire for sex and fear of unavoidable old age, followed by a lack of sex. an important theme is the duality between the main character's relationship with isabelle and esther. one ( isabelle - peer ) became more and more static every year, started to hate her body and stopped being a breakthrough girl and ( what is important for the main character daniel1 ) stopped having sex out of mentioned self-hatred. only intelligence remained. while the other one (esther - a 20-year-old woman) was go-getting, she knew exactly what she wanted, how to please men and how to never get bored - she was perfect for daniel1 ( it's a pity that he wasn't perfect for her ). he deluded himself that he truly loved her. he ran into the problem that he loved a girl who wasn't looking for love, and he craved a woman who preferred settling down and having completily peaceful life, because of the trauma of working at a newspaper that mostly focused on "pre-overdue" women. personally, i was more intrigued by isabelle's thread, because esther's character was too silly (that was the author's intention - i just don't like insignificant chatter, even though I can admit that her part was important, i feel like he choose living in eternity because of her wildness and a will to be free.) the names of the main characters reek of the bible. overall it's a good book with predictable ending and an expected ending fits the cynical atmosphere of the book.
aelumen's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0