What lies Beneath

I find Houllebecq's writing style to be very honest and unapologetic. I find it comforting to know that someone is being curt for the reasons of full disclosure. Often times we find writer's (and people alike) dancing around words just to be overly illustrious for literary sake.

It may not be what you want to hear or may be too much information, but the truth of the matter is that there are people in this world who think exactly like this. How can we be honest with each other if we do not allow an open platform (no pun intended) to express everyone's views? Personally, I like to take part in a the whole plethora of mindsets whether they be- timid, appropriate, lewd, crude, eloquent, and so on. I think art inspires, but it is important that art be controversial as well. Controversy gets topics of interest or of non-interest stirring so we can pick apart the psychology of our society.

Houllebecq's protagonist has lived his life seemingly in his head and out of his pants. He finds himself seeking visceral gratifications that he can grasp emotionally. He hasn't had the time or the gumption to further analyze his unwillingness to do so. Hopefully, by venturing abroad he will start to meditate on these issues... we will have to see.