So, we've all had plenty of time to read it by now. I'm halfway in and pretty dissapointed desu.
>>25007987The Map and the Territory is pretty good.
I mean, I love the passages where Houellebecq the essayist, the philosopher is speaking. I wish I could just read all those snippets. The story itself, the storyworld, the characters,... are just flat imo. I know that the flatness of the characters is a common criticism against Houellebecq. But I see him as a brilliant social commentator, and brilliant in describing the individual's position in contemporary society. So that dynamic is what usually makes his novels interesting to me. Plus, and this is just me, but the story is about a bunch of impotent old fucks who can't get erections anymore and then about even older fucks who are dying old age. I'm in my twenties and ever since graduating uni I'm surrounded by old fucks wherever I am. Don't want to deal with even more old fucks when I'm reading.I'm reading the Dutch translation btw.
>>25007987I finished it a few weeks ago and still don't know what to think about it. It felt like 3 books integrated into one with all the endings edited out. I more or less think I know what he wanted to say with this book. In his other books he put a huge emphasis on his nihilistic view on politics. In this book this seems really flat. The focus is more on family and relation with the loved ones. Instead of trying the fight the social and political decline, he tries to accept in through spending time with the people close to him. All the other "noises" are faded out. He said this is his last book so he will probably try to do that. I kinda like the idea of everything just becoming needless, but I hate it even more. The biggest "win" I get out of this book is that I can bring it up when a qt at the bookstore tells me Houellebecq is a misogynist. Wished it had a lot more of Houellebecqs philosophical rambling about random topics. Like the chapter in elementary particles about Huxley, the ending of serotonin, the talking with that Islamic guy in submission, his rambling about women or others. These are always entertaining.
Houellebecq is washed regardless of where you stand on his politics
>>25007987My impression was that this novel was supposed to be his version of Buddenbrooks by Thomas Mann. A somber, serious tale of slow decline, with Schopenhauerian undertones, and elements of a family novel. I vaguely remember that he said something to this effect, about having read Thomas Mann.
finally getting pussy ruined him as an author.you really can't write well if you're happy.
>>25008001>I'm reading the Dutch translationplease read my book when it comes out. i would like to get your opinion
>>25008001>I mean
