by Michel Houellebecq
It is a typical Houellebecq: he has no illusions about humans and their ability to love (or better inability). Two half brothers, Michel, the molecular biologist and only interested in science, Bruno, a teacher and frustrated sex maniac. They both are raised by their respective grand mothers because both are neglected by their common mother, a selfish woman of the generation 68.
Michel, the molecular biologist, says at same stage, it will be apparent that sexuality is in reality an unnecessary, dangerous and regressive function. Bruno is constantly on the hunt for sexual satisfaction which he almost never really gets. They meet each other sometimes but the book basically tells the story of their lives almost independently. Interesting is the Michel’s claim that Huxley actually meant what he wrote and that new the world will be definitely our destiny. The description of sex I found never obscene but this is really a matter of taste.
I think everybody should read at least one Houellebecq. I personally like the book Platform, the first and third part are really entertaining and it has proposals which are not so devious. And will will read the next ones, too. I can not hide a certain morbid interest in his “solutions”. He describes our times as apocalypses of human relationships. It is at least worth a thought. It was a great read during the flight from Berlin to Recifé.
Michel, the molecular biologist, says at same stage, it will be apparent that sexuality is in reality an unnecessary, dangerous and regressive function. Bruno is constantly on the hunt for sexual satisfaction which he almost never really gets. They meet each other sometimes but the book basically tells the story of their lives almost independently. Interesting is the Michel’s claim that Huxley actually meant what he wrote and that new the world will be definitely our destiny. The description of sex I found never obscene but this is really a matter of taste.
I think everybody should read at least one Houellebecq. I personally like the book Platform, the first and third part are really entertaining and it has proposals which are not so devious. And will will read the next ones, too. I can not hide a certain morbid interest in his “solutions”. He describes our times as apocalypses of human relationships. It is at least worth a thought. It was a great read during the flight from Berlin to Recifé.
Facts:
English title: The Elementary Paritcles
Original title: Les particules élémentaires
Published: 1998
