Michel Houellebecq - Interventions 2020 BOOK REVIEW

[@arblankenship54]

This is why Pynchon left himself to the unknown so people can’t kill him if they hate his work

[@lachlank.8270]

Here's your quote: "Thomas Pynchon loved this book, almost as much as he loves cameras!" Hey, over here! Have your picture taken with a reclusive author! Today only, we'll throw in a free autograph! But wait, there's more!

[@SamL12345]

Mr Sargent, another superb review, keep up the great work. Only read Serotonin so far, but I too already think Houellebecq is a genius. Can't wait to read more.

[@mudgetheexpendable]

I never felt that my insides and my outsides were the same age until I was 40. Said that to my foster mother and she simply nodded, said "that's been your tragedy, hasn't it," and we moved on. THE ELEMENTARY PARTICLES is my nominee for best place to start.

[@angelorossowrites]

Hey Man, thanks for your great reviews & recommendations. Keep on rocking in the free world.

[@vcackermanwrites]

No one should be murdered for art, but those who are willing to risk it are heroes.

[@lachlank.8270]

Salman didn't need two eyes anyway

[@electrawolf5855]

I love Dead Man. It's my favorite Depp film and Young's music just makes it better.

[@meursault1654]

Funny, in Lurie’s new autobiography he says he gave Jarmusch the idea/story for Dead Man.

[@vishmonster]

I would say Submission is a good starting place because if you start reading it you will very quickly know if Houellebecq is the right guy for you, and if not you can drop him early and move on.

[@KingMinosxxvi]

I disagree with this.

[@vishmonster]

@@KingMinosxxvi Ok, thanks for sharing.

[@Ozgipsy]

Excellent review, thanks. My highlight this year is going to be Mcacarthy’s new book I think.

[@ellelala39]

Thanks for going deep, Cliff. Love Houellebecq.

[@thoughttourist4716]

Wait until you read Houellebecq's latest novel. He has taken his existential melancholia trademark to another level, and on top of that he reveals a hidden charm of his literary aspirations. Can't call him a nihilist, to me, he has always been a savage romantic. Anéantir is just brilliant!

[@KingMinosxxvi]

What language did you read it in?

[@thoughttourist4716]

@@KingMinosxxvi Bulgarian

[@KingMinosxxvi]

@@thoughttourist4716 Still waiting for English..taking forever!

[@JudgeHill]

Didn’t realise this had even been published. I’m going to get it.

[@g.bontempi691]

I've read pretty much everything by him... I've read a collection of essays/interviews/poems in Italian called The Pursuit of Happiness or something like that which seems to include a few of the essays you mentioned here, but this volume is definitely more updated and includes new stuff. I'll see if I can get my hands on a copy to check it out.

[@catacombeaperte]

se sei interessato, il volume recensito da Cliff sta uscendo con il titolo "Interventi" per La Nave di Teseo

[@davidnorris166]

Where do you buy your invisible books?

[@cc09.mm12.ge8]

Great review, always making my to-read list a bit bigger. Since you love Houellebecq, you might enjoy Rafael Chirbes. His books Cremation and On the Edge are phenomenal novels about the causes (the first) and consequences (the second) of the 2000s Spanish real estate crisis

[@shaneharrington3655]

Re: The Dutroux affair, A brand new book called quest for love by Anneka Lucas just came out, she was a survivor of that ring. It’s riveting I think you’ll really dig it

[@kidAaaaa]

I'm so excited every time I realize I can recommend Houellebecq to a friend. For obvious reasons, not for everyone... The elementary particles truly struck a chord with me. Probably because I haven't read A LOT, but I have never read anything that had such an impact on me. ps: I love that you like Houellebecq mr Sargent, keep the great work !

[@lloviset]

Thank you so much Mr.Sargent! I have read most of Houllebecq but I haven’t gotten my hands on top of that ensamble of manuscripts yet. You definitely opened my appetite. On another subject, I would love your take on some of the theatrical works of Eugene O’Neil. I follow the channel and I’d enjoy an episode on a playwright and I think he is the perfect author for that. I’d suggest his most well known play, “Long day’s journey into the night”. Thank you again Mr.Sargent for sharing your knowledge and insight on these relevant works of literature. Have a wonderful day

[@sherryfyman7066]

I tried reading Houellbecq maybe 15 years ago and hated him but solely on the strength of your comments here I’m going to give these essays another try. It’s very possible I missed something important 😊

[@jabolko]

Never been so fast.. Clicked play only 32s after upload 😆 cool review as always.

[@angelferox]

Mr. Sargent, I’m a longtime fan of Houellebecq since reading Elementary Particles when it was first published. Around that time The NY Times published a great interview with him. If I can find the interview, I’ll post it here. Thanks for reviewing his work!

[@jamesthompson9280]

Came across your channel way back when you reviewed Soumission. Long time viewer of the channel. I started with the Map and the Territory which I would recommend.

[@Austria88586]

I was debating purchasing this book. I'm a Houellebecq fan. Ordering now, thanks.

[@ryanmacfarlane1831]

I started with Serotonin, definitely worth checking out

[@clivebroadhead4857]

The Map and the Territory is amazing. The notion of the map assuming the size (actual) of that it wished to represent plays into my way of thinking. Houellebecq's cameo in the novel is a master stroke. It is a great critique of art and the making of art. Utterly believable but off the chart.

[@Cleverlast]

Dude I’m super excited to have just found your channel. Really loved the video brother

[@BooksForever]

I would suggest the problem is not the lack of a new religion (to unite the people) but rather the fractious clinging upon all the old religions.

[@zZwingli]

My first Houllebecq was Sérotonine

[@pacosilvam]

For my money, 'The Map and the Territory' is the best book to start with Houellebecq. It wasn't my first one, and it's been a while since I read it, but the mix of his classic style and the great metacommentary about art and himself really surprised me. I've heard that the film 'The Kidnapping of Michel Houellebecq' works as a sort of companion piece, but I haven't watched it yet. Also, fun fact: I had a teacher in high school who was friends with Houllebecq. He has a cameo on the film adaptation of 'The Possibility of an Island', which Houllebecq directed himself. Fair warning, I've read it's terrible. The clip is actually on KZbin, the name is "La Possibilité d'une Ile - extrait 1". He's right in the center of the opening shot, wearing a hat, sunglasses, and a Tasmanian Devil shirt.

[@antigaia1817]

I stArted with Serotonin. Prob. a bad idea Lol

[@KingMinosxxvi]

@@antigaia1817 no Serotonin is magnificient

[@pacosilvam]

@@antigaia1817 that's quite the brutal novel, I hope you're doing ok

[@KingMinosxxvi]

I agree that la carte et Le terretoire is perfectly masterful..magic...submission as well.

[@KingMinosxxvi]

No one should ever even watch a trailer for a film adaptation of any of his books.

[@FlintSL]

First date: Her: Who's your favourite author? Him: Michel Houellebecq Her: I'm just going to the toilet

[@evenings.6170]

We need more crazy shit on this channel

[@tommyalexxxander]

I would start with Lanzarote (which I did). It's short, easy to follow and has his style all over it.

[@OberDesiah]

That is a really fun, little book!

[@PatchyTheFox]

FINALLY uploading the BookTube Newbie Tag!!!

[@BlueDusk95]

Well, this is the book that introduced me to Houellebecq. I'd read a web version of "Jacques Prévert is an Asshole" and I was ecstatic! At this moment I knew I had to read this book and a few more of this guy. The first novel I read was Platform that I loved.

[@arminfeuerkreuter233]

I find interesting the fact that you speak about a new religion needed in this world while you talk about a book written by Houellebecq because he specifically said that The New Age movement with its new religions had created the twisted world in which we live now

[@smalltown4855]

Have you read Mr Poppits Pip and His Satin Fedora?

[@Moribus_Artibus]

I started with Platform and recommend it for new readers

[@reaganwiles_art]

Thank you as always. The Elementary Particles is all I've read by Houellebecq. I had to get half through before I decided I wanted to go on. And I've kept it so I can reread it. I cannot understand the comparison many make to Celine. Worlds apart, those two. Celine is by far the less optimistic writer.

[@claudiocruzat8777]

And thats a great writer, Celine can make you laugh . This houellebecq is a strange phenomenon that writes rants and crap and gets worshipped by some readers Pathetic. It's Negativity printed. I read three novels in one (spanish Anagrama editions.) The book ended in the fireplace, plataform, the elemental particles and other. The guy talks about how ugly prople is, women.. men. He doesn't have a mirror🤣.

[@reaganwiles_art]

@@claudiocruzat8777 Celine is constantly on my reading table, and I keep his novels on a drive so I can read them on my phone.

[@claudiocruzat8777]

@@reaganwiles_art He has quite a few novels. Long and not boring.

[@MouAresounTaPneusta]

The world was a much worse place when Celine lived.

[@realNincompoopline]

You really need to read "Annihilate", it's his most intelligent and most emotional novel yet. If you read it already please do a review on it.

[@williamneal9076]

Serotonin was where I began and was haggling and hemming and hawing with self a while on this one. Glad we made a decision to purchase. He does have some Poetry apparently. So described herein or within this English edition...and, am wondering when Aneantir when FINALLY it occurs in English, but, cannot possibly have that as title, as, there is a book already with it...but who knows? It's due this year as well, and said to be his LAST in Fiction to be. Will we wait until December for it? I've not heard a word when or what its title will be...and, am OVERLY ANXIOUS at some moments...like a Jack Lemmon character.

[@glasscage1123]

I greatly encourage the reviewing of more crazy shit

[@ringospub6740]

Who does he mention along with Valerie Solanas? Sounds like “Duorkins” or something like that haha

[@davidnorris166]

Hello Sir Cliff, you are a master of sarcasm and irony...which is great. Is the stereotype true that Americans generally don't get sarcasm. E.g. British vs. American comedy?

[@luanirani]

Great review, as always! Than you!

[@jondaly4501]

I notice that this review follows one of Adam Lehrer's The Communions. Is there a connection? Lehrer wrote an article or two about reactionaries for radicals. I think that he compared Houllebecq to Honore de Balzac. The reason I ask is that I noticed a few of the subsequent videos mention other authors who I think Lehrer has also written about.

[@Nick-hb6ox]

Have you ever read "Into the wild"? I think you might like it

[@morbidswither3051]

I would probably say The Map and the Territory is a good book to read first.

[@AlienBigCat23]

Andrea Dworkin is also friends with, or is admired by, or has worked with Peter Sotos.

[@Moribus_Artibus]

Schopenhauer is a great and honest writer and Houellebecq does a great job at being honest like him.

[@williampdozier]

Intro is fire

[@butterflymoon6368]

Jesus Christ that wins for the worst book cover I have ever seen. It's like a school textbook from 1997.

[@sibiramesh8361]

can you please review more of his books? I think the Possibility of an Island deserves one

[@BetterThanFoodBookReviews]

I definitely will

[@kirkalex5257]

Cliff, my brother, you make me want to read this Houellebecq dude. I buy books every month, yet never read any Richard Brautigan--until I heard your take on his work. Waiting for Revenge of the Lawn to come in presently. Thanks. ;=) By the way, I write the Chance "Cash" Register blue-collar working stiff series. Would like to send You're Gonna Have Trouble in to you to check it out.

[@AlencarFaulkner]

The greatest living author, in the west, is obviously António Lobo Antunes; the Portuguese language is too often overlooked. (In my unimportant opinion).

[@thoughttourist4716]

Which book by Antunes do you suggest as a start? I have been meaning to read him for some times now and I am quite surprised someone here even mentioned him. :)))

[@AlencarFaulkner]

@@thoughttourist4716 That is dependent on you as the reader; if you enjoy High Modernism, I would say: Just go ahead and read his masterpiece Fado Alexandrino; if you're just OK with High Modernism read Auto dos danados (Act of the Damned); if you dislike High Modernism and/or cannot read a dark and dreary and humourless novel then Antunes is not for you. One of my favourites is A ordem natural das coisas (The Natural Order of Things), beautiful novel. António Lobo Antunes carries, with relish, the High Modernist torch. Nobody understands why. His books are dense and dark and difficult. To some critics his books are unnecessary avant-garde and with little substance beyond the style. But for the pretentious people, like myself, who have High Modernism as their favourite literature, Antunes is an anachronistic pleasure. And some people say that he deserves the Nobel Prize--but the real question is: does the Nobel Prize deserves Antunes? My answer is: No. I'm reading A última porta antes da noite (not yet translated into English, I think), and to me is quite entertaining. (By the way, another living writer that I (as if my opinion matters any) hold in the utmost regard is John Banville. A writer who went back to the modernist tradition of Joseph Conrad and Henry James and created something new, yet familiar. His novels are delightful. His novels are art. However, he is much more known than Antunes, so I'll recommend the latter any time I can).

[@thoughttourist4716]

@@AlencarFaulkner Thank you for your thorough answer. Long time ago, a friend of mine had recommended Conhecimento do inferno by Antunes, but I couldn't find it for the longest time. Now, they have finally re-published it in my native language, and it's again available. Another book that was recently published by him in my native language is Para Aquela que Está Sentada no Escuro à Minha Espera. European non-English writers I much prefer to read translated in my native Bulgarian, as I have noticed very often English translations are not always that accurate. Such was my feeling when I read the English translation of Too Loud A Solitude by Bohumil Hrabal, or the first translation of Alexis Zorbas by Nikos Kazantzakis. As for John Banville, you are right, although I think for some reason he is not well known in the USA and Canada. I should also explore his works a bit further.

[@AlencarFaulkner]

@@thoughttourist4716 Your welcome. I haven't read Conhecimento do inferno, but some critics have considered it a minor work, however, I wouldn't go by critics -- _critics_ have said that William Faulkner's A Fable is a "minor" work; it is no such thing -- anyway... I haven't read Para Aquela que Está Sentada no Escuro à Minha Espera either, because here, in Brazil, a Portuguese speaking country, more than half of Antunes novels aren't published, everything by Saramago is, though. Since English (native English speakers seem obsessed with novels--and books in general--being funny, everything needs humour; every time they praise a novel they talk about its funny moments, etc.) isn't your first language either I shouldn't warn, but Antunes is pretty much humourless and without fantastical elements; Portuguese itself is a rather humourless and harsh language that doesn't lend itself very well to comedy. I like comedy, but not everything needs comic relief.

[@noahwall7165]

What is the book in the intro? Is it the reviewed book for each episode?

[@BetterThanFoodBookReviews]

It is yes

[@lachlank.8270]

Does he write in Eng/translate his own work?

[@FTrivews]

I love Houellebecq's work, particularly Atomised, I think he has a good mind for social commentary and the failings of capitalism. However his views do go beyond being an interesting conservative, he is undoubtedly a racist and islamophobe, doesn't stop me or anyone else from enjoying his work, but should it think be acknowledged. At the end of the day if art is really good it transcends the failings of the artist, something that liberals and reactionaries find difficult to understand.

[@joejs7659]

You should read “death on credit”, the Manheim translation. A delirious classic! One of the best books out there!

[@stuartdavies2264]

It's really nice that someone shares my enthusiasm for Houellebecq, I've 'grokked' everything from Platform onwards. As an Australian, I would recommend 2 authors to you. One is the emigre JM Coetzee, whose 3 book series, The Childhood of Jesus, The Schooldays of Jesus, and The Death of Jesus, are a strange parable for our modern times, or are they? What are they? And the other author is the singular writer David Foster. Not to be confused with David Foster Wallace, you could start with 'the Glade within the Grove' before attempting his poetry 'The Ballad of Erinungurah' or "The Sons of the Rumour'. He writes in the Satirical style (biting not toothless) and his mind is full of Classical references, religious explorations and gutter Australian slang. The equal of Houellebecq, he has mostly been ignored at home.

[@stuartdavies2264]

Well, yes.lots. No-one as outrageously consistently good or under-appreciated as David Foster, he really takes the cake for 'undiscovered'. David Ireland, Fia Moppert. The current novel, which is brutally true and harrowing, is Bird by Adam Morris. You might also like Craig San Roque's 'The Long Weekend in Alice Springs' adapted and drawn by Joshua Santospirito, or the Salty River Jan Bauer.

[@gediminaskontrimas7992]

American author number one - David Foster Wallace. European author number one - Michel Houellebecq.

[@benp4877]

How are Cliff and I always reading the same stuff? I just bought the Houellebecq book of essays a couple days ago. I felt like I had to. I remember first reading Submission and thinking “the balls on this guy.” The website Jacobin just published an article on him, incidentally.

[@jmiquelmb]

Being a misantropic reactionary is far from brave. The far right is pretty popular, France included

[@benp4877]

@@jmiquelmb What an original (and insightful) critique.

[@iandonnelly522]

I started reading Houellebecq with Submission.....then Serotonin.....I enjoyed both immensely and then read his piece on Schopenhauer.....I’m still working my way through his oeuvre and as you rightly say he isn’t for everyone (depending on your particular world view....)....that said, I’m a bit of an old misanthropist anyway so he’s right up my street and certainly in the French tradition of the Flaneur.....the detached observer looking at societal ennui.....Personally I love his work.....👍

[@davidnevett5880]

Caray, qué bien!

[@worthcarlin5639]

My first Houellebecq was Seratonin lol. I had to take a multi month long break half way thru it got too depressing. Still a great read tho!

[@antigaia1817]

start with Submission.

[@themiddleplace]

Has he written a good book since "possiblity of an island" ? Plus, he's never been that great a prosist.

[@claudiocruzat8777]

I read two books.. well i could not end the second. G. It made me feel sick. I threw rhe book to the fireplace (on fire) Celine, Maupassant short stories.. thats enjoyable and you can even laugh.

[@electrawolf5855]

So you moved to Florida? Be prepaired to see some crazy shit. Good Luck, bro.

[@TK-kf8zc]

Totally agree about MH. Totally. One masterpiece after the next. Can't think of anyone who sees the world more clearly, and no, it ain't pretty.

[@LıǎmYeǎħ]

Hey cliff

[@BetterThanFoodBookReviews]

Hey Liam

[@jarltrippin]

@@BetterThanFoodBookReviews Hey Cliff

[@nickolette22]

Hey all

[@josepgomezalemany5903]

Platform!

[@solidaritysquared6405]

This dude looks just like Arthur Shelby from Peaky Blinders.

[@Yasmeen001]

I went to urgent care for my 17 year old son and the nurse asked him to get on the scale. So he asked if he should take off his shoes. And the nurse responded “No, we are in a pandemic. Keep all your clothes on and with you.” I didn’t realize we were still in a pandemic but I guess maybe we are? 🤷🏻‍♀️ I still think her response was a bit over the top.

[@antigaia1817]

Personally, I love Houellebecq. But to call any of his books masterpieces is very premature imo. His french predecessors are much more worthwhile, especially Perec, Mauriac, and Stendhal. These are masterpieces. also his essay against Assisted suicide was DISGUSTINGLY glib. I don't give a shit about him losing his hair and a few teeth, that's very far removed from the dozens of people living with chronic pain and vomiting every day because of chemo . For him to decry monotheism and then embrace some of its worst ethical blunders is so dumb it makes me crazy. Also, the pandemic wouldnt have been so bad if the political interest of anti science wingnuts hadn't turnNed it into a left/right issue

[@tobinmoffatt3075]

I think the whole question of whether a writer is "nihilistic" is actually a mute point. Or to put it another way, I think that that term tends to be used in critical contexts as sort of a glib slur which hardly warrants engagement. Literature in general grapples with problems of meaning or its absence - even in works which are didactic or rooted in religious faith.

[@babybuntin1]

Message Hits diff after Rushdie got shanked

[@electrawolf5855]

I know you don't do non-fiction, but I think it would be so ballsy to review Christopher Hitchen's "Missionary Position". It's about Mother Theresa.

[@benp4877]

I love that the blurb on it, if I recall, said “It’s a dirty job, but somebody’s got to do it.” And Hitchens did. Masterfully.

[@KingMinosxxvi]

If there is anything I always want from Houellebecq it's more essays

[@KingMinosxxvi]

I hope these three thumbs up know that I was being Ironical. ;)

[@tamsu7993]

ps thanks

[@kasianfranmitja5298]

I love Houellebecq, but i did not enjoy submission a single bit. Could have been the translation, but it was so damn stale. No dynamics and just the same language in the entire thing, no passion or anything. At least i could not feel it.

[@bobcabot]

ja just like miami vice...

[@r.s.9861]

Huellebecq ❤️

[@AndersBjornTH]

Mid-roll ad overdose

[@danyt3670]

Jerma

[@meursault1654]

Whatever and Submission are my two favorite and are worth a second, third reading. One of my favorite living writers. Modiano is also pretty special, and French, though a different vibe entirely.

[@Mlreau]

2 years to wait for the translation of Anihilate 😮 This Sept 2024? Rediculous. Best author out side not including America? Trust a Yank to kid us and himself 😮😂