This was my second Houllebecq novel after Submission, then Serotonin and now The Map and the T. This one does drag, but some of the scenes with the family dynamics were powerful stuff. If it were tightened, it would be great.
They really took their time with the English translation! The Dutch translation appeared quite soon after the original, so I luckily didn't have to wait too long. I prefer the (standard) Dutch translator over the English one anyway tbh. Glad you could finally read it!
@beaumeer688 ik bedoel, in ieder geval sneller dan de Engelse versie. Die is volgens mij dus net uit. Terwijl ik volgens mij vorig jaar in de lente al het boek had uitgelezen (erg snel uitgelezen uiteraard)
I really liked your comments on Christianity. The Christian theme in the book is a very interesting one. I disagree that it’s resurgence is based on a desperation. But I totally respect the viewpoint of people who are opposed to this sort of thing. I find your comments scintillating, I always enjoy this broadcast. Keep doing good work!😊
He has a review of The Elementary Particles, which is the alternate title for Atomised. Check it out - I read Atomised earlier this year and lost sleep over it
Just up to page 50, where our main guy realizes his poor sister may have made better life choices than his own, and how narrow and straight is the path to any kind of peace. Looks like good Houellebecq so far.
I think that was his point. Liberals will ironically usher in a profoundly authoritarian minority purely because they meet the established identity politics criteria they have, in recent years, fetishized.
: So - what are those standards? Which of them does Houellebecq break to the extent that he should be considered a horrible writer? Is it his ideas, the mechanics of his text, what?
Nobody who truly cares about literature would make such an absurd statement about any writer, or at the very least would understand the pretty damn basic concept that artistic quality is subjective
I know that being a youtuber is hard work and you just go to take any sponsors that you can, but please DO NOT SUPPORT BETTERHELP. These people are not real therapists and have been found to be sharing private data with Facebook, as well as paying their hired, undertrained therapists a tiny pittance. Please see a real, local accredited therapist.
Houellebecq is one of the greatest writers of our time. Great review!
A very insightful way to be dissatisfied with a book, appreciated hearing those thoughts.
Someone needs to convince Cliff to read Krasznahorkai
Amen
Seconded!
Badass, thanks for putting this on my radar. Did not know it was coming out.
This was my second Houllebecq novel after Submission, then Serotonin and now The Map and the T. This one does drag, but some of the scenes with the family dynamics were powerful stuff. If it were tightened, it would be great.
Just discovered your channel. You’re hilarious
V. Happy to see you review this book.
I had to laugh when, four minutes into your Houellebecq book review, you pause to deliver an ad for some online therapy tool.
The segue was flawless.
@@ReinReads genius implementation
They really took their time with the English translation! The Dutch translation appeared quite soon after the original, so I luckily didn't have to wait too long. I prefer the (standard) Dutch translator over the English one anyway tbh. Glad you could finally read it!
Wat zeg jij nou? Het duurde langer dan een jaar voordat de Nederlandse vertaling uitkwam omdat Martin de Haan met een ander project bezig was.
@beaumeer688 ik bedoel, in ieder geval sneller dan de Engelse versie. Die is volgens mij dus net uit. Terwijl ik volgens mij vorig jaar in de lente al het boek had uitgelezen (erg snel uitgelezen uiteraard)
when this review first came out i felt optimistic and hopeful in the world and i wasn’t feeling the nihilism…. now, today, i feel it
Thanks. ❤ this book.
I really liked your comments on Christianity. The Christian theme in the book is a very interesting one. I disagree that it’s resurgence is based on a desperation. But I totally respect the viewpoint of people who are opposed to this sort of thing. I find your comments scintillating, I always enjoy this broadcast. Keep doing good work!😊
I hope Houellebecq gets inspired by something and makes a comeback.
Well, he wrote an essay on his failed attempt at p*rn.
I heard a lot of good things about this guy, but I never see his books at the book store. :(
Am reading Atomised at the moment.. any thoughts?
He has a review of The Elementary Particles, which is the alternate title for Atomised. Check it out - I read Atomised earlier this year and lost sleep over it
@@AlienBigCat23 painful but very good read. Every chapter is a stab to the heart
Thanks!
Thank you very much for your kind support Andrew!
Melancholy of Resistance when?
Just up to page 50, where our main guy realizes his poor sister may have made better life choices than his own, and how narrow and straight is the path to any kind of peace. Looks like good Houellebecq so far.
9:40
This book was very disappointing, the story doesn't go anywhere, half baked writing...
I never found the book boring but it's definitely his weakest.
Maybe I misread it, but Submission didn't make Islamic France sound bad; at least for men.
It depends on what you value the most in society, or maybe what you personally lack.
I think that was his point. Liberals will ironically usher in a profoundly authoritarian minority purely because they meet the established identity politics criteria they have, in recent years, fetishized.
I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU ARE STILL PROMOTING BETTER HELP AFTER ALL THE NIGHTMARE STORIES.
Life is a nightmare story, this need to bitch about Better Health isn’t helping.
No need to SHOUT!
Nobody who truly cares about literature and has certain standards should read Houellebecq. The guy is a horrible writer.
: So - what are those standards? Which of them does Houellebecq break to the extent that he should be considered a horrible writer? Is it his ideas, the mechanics of his text, what?
Nobody who truly cares about literature would make such an absurd statement about any writer, or at the very least would understand the pretty damn basic concept that artistic quality is subjective
One word: subjectivity.
Tell me you have a sleeve tattoo and top knot without telling me you have a sleeve tattoo and top knot.
You literally watch anime, lol what standards could you possibly have?
I know that being a youtuber is hard work and you just go to take any sponsors that you can, but please DO NOT SUPPORT BETTERHELP. These people are not real therapists and have been found to be sharing private data with Facebook, as well as paying their hired, undertrained therapists a tiny pittance. Please see a real, local accredited therapist.
Reading Houellebecq is the best therapy