Submission - Michel Houellebecq BOOK REVIEW

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[@kilroywashere3286]

"Literature might just get dangerous again...thank god."love this guy.

[@blackmetalmagick1]

I didn't know that about Charlie Hebdo happening the day Submission was released, and that Houellebecq's picture was on the cover. Wow.

[@elwood6643]

the book was published 15 days prior if i recall correctly

[@billymcgonageull927]

'The past is always beautiful. So, for that matter is the future. Only the present hurts, and we carry it around like an abscess of suffering, our companion between two infinite of happiness and peace' By far one of the best books I've read in years.

[@TK-kf8zc]

So excited to find someone talking about Houellebecq! I read a lot of contemporary French authors. A whole new world.

[@GregoryBSadler]

Thanks for the excellent review! A viewer of mine sent me this, since you'd mentioned the Half Hour Hegel videos a good ways in. Looking forward to watching more of these!

[@BetterThanFoodBookReviews]

+Gregory B. Sadler Oh man, thank you very much, your channel is extremely helpful, I'm working my way through. Keep going at it, and thanks so much for watching.

[@lesgoutsetlescouleurs7721]

I wrote a review about Les particules élementaires but in french :-): kzbin.info/www/bejne/qHW9pqNmidOdjqc

[@valfoin163]

Soumission's last sentence is "I won't have anything left to regret" which is probably the most important clue to read the book as what it is : an ironic satire of itself, and the society it describes. Ironically enough when it came out in France the whole political landscape took it the exact opposite way, as a statement. Littérature is not turning dangerous again, the world is turning dangerous towards littérature, again. Great video thought! You've earned a new subscriber. Love from France.

[@DarkAngelEU]

Creating a book isn't necessarily a statement, but it does always raise questions, apparently there are certain demographics who don't like being scrutinized. You can see that anywhere in the world. Is it dangerous tho? Hardly. When is the last time a writer was killed in Europe? Being a politician or filmmaker is much more dangerous.

[@swarming1092]

I don't think it's quite an ironic satire or a clear statement. I think it's an exploration of a problem at the heart of western modernity, as well as one route out of it, Islam via Schopenhauer. An end to the proliferation and commodification of desire.

[@dirtycelinefrenchman]

Ironic satire is redundant. All satire has irony built into it. Otherwise it wouldn’t be satire.

[@Phil-hr6hi]

Quite the time to be rereading this.

[@dinosaurfilms7425]

I always crack up the second you pull up that ice coffee xD they really should sponsor you; it's becoming quite iconic.

[@T4wsi5w47w7]

Discovered your channels four days ago and found in love with it immediately. It feels like I already know you so well. I feel really bad about your dad, and hope that you can somehow accept it or at least not feel so bad. You already inspire me to read more, and you are now my favorite youtuber. Best regards from Brazil

[@BetterThanFoodBookReviews]

+Luiz Barbieri Thank you Luiz, oh yeah, all with Dad will be ok, I still beat that guitar. Appreciate the sincerity, glad to have you.

[@franciscojaviertorres2723]

Although I didn't love Submission as much as you did (I did like it, though), I do agree that Houellebecq is one of the most interesting writers currently alive. Recently I've been obsessed with a book called "The Blind Owl" by Sadegh Hedayat - it's one of the first modernist novels of Iran and I think you would probably like it. Thanks for all the great reviews, Cliff.

[@__7201]

tbh, when I read the book I got not what I expected (but got better). For me, main hero is such a nihilistic failure, void from any sense of meaning, that he "submits" to whatever ideology is being handed over to him, as long as it is economicaly suitable and he does not need to do any effort by himself. I did not treat him being in any way in a active search for meaning. Rather waiting for something to come. If not for Islam, it would have been something else. In this way, somehow muslim characters are more appealling, because at least they arrive to their ideology by themselves and use it to gain power, etc.

[@ellieanne8603]

Just finished reading Submission after only having purchased it last week (I've been meaning to pick it up for ages and granted, I would have finished it much sooner if I had not been burdened with the bittersweet obligation of retail work). It was an absolutely fantastic read as I've been previously anticipated and I find Houellebecq to be an immensely clever satirist. I find many others to be rather lacking in their attempts to write satire, as though it may seem an easy thing to write, it certainly takes a bit of skill, and Houellebecq seems to possess a congenital knack for it. I found Francois to be a very relatable character, although he is twice my age and of the opposite sex (and a college professor). Our mutual emotion being apathy and nihilism with the eventual search for divinity to fill a vapid emotional void. Similar to Francois, I and many other westerners have grown up catholic but have strayed away from its teachings due to common factors such as weak enforcement from parents, natural aversion to god as a rebellious adolescent and widespread atheist influence. I also felt Francois' attachment to Huysman to be an interesting (and almost romantic) reference point throughout the story and I enjoyed, almost embarrassingly, noticing how similar they were becoming. I hope more people are granted the pleasure of reading 'Submission' and I cannot thank you enough for yet another brilliant review. I cannot stress how excited I was to watch this upon finishing the book. Keep up the excellent work, Cliff! :)

[@christianman73]

Ellie Anne, I was scrolling down through the comments here and happened to read yours, and it resonated with me in many ways. I wasn't raised Catholic, or really, Christian at all, at least not in any kind of serious, substantive way, but I am a former atheist and a convert to Catholicism. Have you heard of Bishop Robert Barron? If not, he has quite a number of very thoughtful videos on philosophy, literature, movies, theology, and more. (He has a very wide array of interests!) As one who lived for many years teetering on the edge of nihilism, and, at times, slipping over into it, I find that his videos address many questions that I have had in the past, and sometimes, still have. If you are interested, check out this one: kzbin.info/www/bejne/l4fGnqqkmLCqhrc

[@markshort1988]

Reading this after the highlighting of two tier policing and riots over mass migration/failed multiculturalism in the uk. This book is almost a prophecy

[@smilingbudha7414]

Houellebecq in 2024 is even more right

[@ankitpal3615]

Another Great One!! Suggestions(indulging in guilty pleasures) - The Slynx by Tatyana Tolstaya Mockingbird by Walter Tevis Some other suggestions - under fire by Henri Barbusse devil of nanking by Mo Hayder the man who fell to earth by Walter Tevis dispatches by Michael Herr he died with his eyes open by Derek Raymond the devil all the time by Donald Ray Pollock thérèse raquin by Emile Zola chess by Stefan Zweig The Ploughmen by Kim Zupan white noise And giovanni's room

[@declanrush3722]

Wow! This book sounds incredible! I am so glad that I subscribed to this channel! Currently reading 'House of leaves' (thanks to yourself) but once it's finished I am going to have to read 'Submission'.

[@nyc88s]

Cliff, thanks for recommending this book, I really liked it. I did happen to read it almost immediately after having read Huysmans Against Nature, so it was a good fit. Keep up the great work here!

[@AndyFromBeaverton]

Has this book been moved from fiction to non-fiction?

[@foolyanr.1]

Yeah! I enjoyed this book too but as a Audiobook. Houellebecq uses very direct language in this book and the content is a interesting View in the possible future of Europe.

[@Ozgipsy]

Yes, I really enjoyed Submission. Probably sparked my current literary interests. 👍

[@arthurfleck5826]

This reminded me of the book The Club of Incorrigible Optimists. In this book there is a kid who loves books. I love it.

[@gabriellassh]

A delightful review as always, you really have a way with words sir. You've made of myself a faithfull viewer, continue the good work!

[@MrUndersolo]

I am reading it right now. Sometimes, I wish he did not write so well or so deeply and honestly about where we are right now. That is what great art can do. We have to face up to what the book is proposing and look at the uglier sides of ourselves if we dare. Thank you for this one!

[@AK-ne4og]

one of the most influential , almost prophetic, books I've read for a long time.

[@TheUndergroundVault]

The Muslim Brotherhood is a very real party. They took the election in Egypt which caused a lot of the uproar. I suggest reading "Islam: And the Future of Tolerance" by Sam Harris and Maajid Nawaz. It's non-fiction, but it can be read in about an hour or less. If anything at all, it''ll be educational.

[@andrealeobons]

I just read this book. Bought it because I saw this review last year. Clifford, you sold it well and I can say now after reading it that I was not disappointed. How can someone have so many insights and articulate them so clearly and in a way that is artistically admirable?!! No wonder you adore Houellebecq so much. I have this theory. I think this is the French equivalent of Fight Club. Both are dealing with the fall of a culture, apathy caused by material comfort and the social/psychological displacement of men. Both offer the same solution of hyper masculinization each one in their way. It’s a theory in its infancy I know but maybe makes a bit of sense?... Anyway, thank you so much for this review. I wish you could see the cover for the Brazilian edition, it is truly gorgeous.

[@conor3754]

love you're reviews. just curious as to your approach to reading. When you sit down with a book do u see it as reading for however so long, or tackle it by chapters, or sit with it for a while and take it down in chunks. just wondering what u think is the best way to approach reading a book in order to get the most gratification from it, granted everyone is different...

[@felixwegner4713]

read the book you will learn a lot about politics and the western culture, especially the european without being bored for one secound. Houellebecq is a prophet too me and the book a masterpiece.

[@CASnumber]

Great talk man, subbed. I just read the book; found out about the author for pure coincidence. And I enjoyed it a great time. Greetings from Colombia.

[@aristotle4048]

Submission is far more intelligent and intricately crafted to simply be political, and I think allot of its critics miss that.

[@billymcgonageull927]

Got this book because of your review, and it's astonishing. Was a very quick read, I couldn't put it away. I must say I'm very, very glad to have found your channel. Next on my to-read list is "Stoner" by Williams and "2666" by Bolaño both purchases inspired by your reviews. I'm also picking up "Galveston" by Nic Pizzolatto, not sure if you've read it or plan to read it in the future? Keep up the good work!

[@BetterThanFoodBookReviews]

Much appreciated Billy, you're in for it. I'm jealous of your upcoming first time reads.

[@themoroccanreviews]

i love watching your videos, they are so different in a way :)

[@BetterThanFoodBookReviews]

+TissTheReader Thank you!

[@gonzogil123]

A truly honest question about art, and political propaganda. I am an economist, and political scientist. What is it that allows you as an artist to detect it as art, and not political propaganda. As not something like Dershowitz's book between the, his claim, the actual alliance between the bin Laden group, and the left in general. I am interested in understanding the means by which to discriminate Gobbelian propaganda from cultural contributions.

[@zuzakors9407]

I, too, loved the Elementary Particles, and I thought that linking Huysmans and religious revival is quite a brilliant starting point for a potentially very profound commentary. Submission, however, reads like a Peter Hitchens' article turned into a narrative with a classic Houellebecquian character at the centre of it, sans the usual charm and humour that are usually his best assets. And this chat that Francois and Rediger have near the end was a tad cringeworthy.

[@ezekielyu4294]

Great video! Query: ever read anything by Milan Kundera? Finished "Unbearable Lightness of Being" and am currently reading "The Book of Laughter and Forgetting". They're probably masterpieces.

[@bastionofthefaith92]

This novel is impossible to understand without Huysmans conversion to Catholicism out of Naturalism. Important is the protagonist thinking of Myriam and how her life will be unhappy in the secular (secular for everyone apart from Jews) nation of Israel, where she carries on just as she did in secular France, while the return of religion gives him a new life. Houellebecq has become a Guenonian tragedian. It would not surprise me if Houellebecq's real life goes the route of Huysmans. The big mistake people make is that Houellebecq is a degenerate rebel. He's far from it. He's a prophetic social mystic. The ending of this novel is one of revival and resurrection.

[@drrizvi476]

Huysmans is also necessary for understanding Swinburne and Wilde, another popular French author that the world forgot was Paul bourget,who similarly went from a Darwinist degenerationist to a conservative mystic, Nietzsche also read him

[@fernandomercado2711]

It just occurred to me that you could analyze Soumission as a contemporary take on The Shadow over Innsmouth by HP Lovecraft.

[@j.scottburgeson3928]

How can literature be "dangerous" if the gatekeepers effectively tame and blunt whatever subversive force it might have? The mainstream media are generally superficial and often ignore or miss what many novels are actually about; this is certainly the case of the great majority of reviews of "Submission," for instance, which is not really about Islam, but rather uses Islam as a foil to examine contemporary French and Western society (and yet how many reviewers argued that "Submission" is an "attack on Islam" or is "Islamophobic"?) It was enough for them to dismiss the novel as "racist" or "bigoted" or "chauvinistic" without genuinely grappling with its main themes, and thereby reinforce their own ideological worldview before hurriedly moving on. And as "Submission" also demonstrates, we should not look to academia for salvation as it, too, is dominated by bloodless careerists who have been swallowed up by the system, and thereby tamed themselves. In other words, if literature were truly dangerous, the neoconservative and rather neoliberal New York Times would not be allowing novelists like Knausgård to go to such lengths in reviewing a book like "Submission." More to the point, why did it choose a rambling Norwegian, who himself admits that he is not a serious reader of Houellebecq, to do a so-called "think piece" on "Submission" in the first place? Are there no serious American critics or novelists up to the task, given that the NYT is itself an American publication? Or was it just a stunt to prove that the NYT is still "trendy" enough in the world of letters to satisfy its bourgeois readers? If this is "danger," it seems pretty unthreatening to me, and I'm quite sure that Houellebecq would agree.

[@lechlishon]

Hmm I don't know if I agree with you there on Knausgård's review. I read his review and think he raises some pertinent points that go beyond the tendency, as your state above, of a reactionary mainstream media turning the book to be seen in the public eye as 'islamophobic'. Knausgård clearly identifies the book's wider purpose beyond this, to quote: 'This lack of attachment, this indifference, is as I see it the novel’s fundamental theme and issue, much more so than the Islamization of France, which in the logic of the book is merely a consequence.'

[@keenandemarsico4046]

oh man cliff, ive never heard of this guy, but tracked this book down and loved it, and am rapily tracking down his other books. I always said paul auster was my favorite living author, cause his books are quite enjoyable, though it was alwys with a bit of hesitance as I knew there was someone better out there, and now I got a name I can proudly call my favorite. aside from a certain prtformace of Bach's pascagalia, this is easily one of the most enricging things ive gotten from youtube. love the channel, and will try and support it. keep a book called Blindness by Saramago on ur radar, its quite good. oh, and fuck LA man, come back to the PNW and help me convert these Paul Cohelo loving hippies to some real literature! ta

[@tamvosper7388]

For anybody interested in sitting through it (it is a little over an hour in length) here is a link to an NYU panel discussion of Submission: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pWWviYCIYreXh7M (I note that this link appears in my sidebar of related videos, but this may not be the case for everybody).

[@libertycentral6564]

Thanks, I will watch it.

[@liquidpebbles7475]

"I just pretend I'm already dead" damn lmao

[@Hastenforthedawm]

I first heard about this book through an essay that relates it to Rene Guenon's thought, a lens makes this book more meaningful rather than it's mere surface level reddit atheist esgelord nihilistic vapidness deserving of nothing but scorn. Michael at least knows that the artifice of his own making is collapsing around him and that is a thing to embrace.

[@andymarin6725]

I loved this book

[@dirtycelinefrenchman]

Most of this review was taken up with reading either long passages from the book without context or Karl Ove Knausgaard’s essay on said book without further elaboration. You didn’t even provide a simple summary of the book (characters, plot, action), which is the first and most basic job of a book review.

[@hanni94fcn]

Which contemporary authors do you recommend in "addition" to Houelley (whom I also admire deeply)? Whatever strikes your mind, ist worthy spreading it in this little section here :D

[@VigiliusHaufniensis]

Why is the objet a in your profile pic in the center of the borromean rings if it consits of pure lack and the immaginary knows no lack, shouldn't it be between the symbolic and the real???😭😭😭

[@hanni94fcn]

@@VigiliusHaufniensis dear commentator, you, therein late, making this, what seems to me now, careful and correct observation gives me the feel of being on reddit in all the right and pleasant ways!! 😌 I probably should tackle my pb's functioning as a source of hopefully not all too disorientieng outcomes at some point, by re-acquainting myself with topology etc that being said: i wish u and me a RL lacking user experience, that has all the 3 registers lined up just fine and tweaked so that it's doing its thing behind our life's goals: e.g. not betraying our desire (properly enough understood ofc) ✊🙏

[@VigiliusHaufniensis]

@@hanni94fcn Based Lacan enjoyer. But seriously, i've seen the objet a often depicted in the center of the knots which always confused me because i don't understand how the objet a appears in the immaginary, but i guess there is a good reason for putting it at the center, that i just don't yet get. Also, if you are still looking for a good author somewhat similiar to Houllebecq, you might enjoy Thomas Bernhard (not exactly a contemporary but close enough i'd say).

[@gurubizar]

Read Strange death of Europe By Douglas Murray

[@issamramdani825]

great review

[@bazooka2000]

Greg Sadler is great, I was surprised when you mentioned him out of nowhere but you seem like you're into cool shit in general so I suppose I shouldn't have been. Parts of this novel sound interesting from your review as well as Knausgaard's, are the existentialist themes and the nature of the sacred discussed in the book itself or just alluded to? You might be interested in reading Jean-Pierre Dupuy's 'The Mark of the Sacred'.

[@enemywithin1295]

I read Atomised (the British title for The Elementary Particles) and was amazed. The honesty of the characters about their own feelings and inadequacies was truly a breath of fresh air. The sexual scenes weren't glossy and romanticized, death is spoken about in a frank and honest manner; a modern masterpiece. I bought Submission, haven't gotten around to reading it yet. Was just wondering, do you have any religious beliefs? I only ask as you seem like you've got a good head on your shoulders, but you're American so you can never tell. I don't mean that in a condescending way, it's just basically everyone in America is religious.

[@BetterThanFoodBookReviews]

+Luke Cusick I don't even know anymore. I can't subscribe to anything. This is one decision I can not make.

[@enemywithin1295]

+Better Than Food: Book Reviews As long as you're happy in yourself. Also, more importantly: what, if any, product do you use in your hair?

[@clementine8996]

Houellebecq is a writer whose books are the mirror of people's fears and fantasies. It is fuck*** not about how an islamophobic, sexist, asshole he is : it is about how the world (and France in our case) is, how everyone of us is. Pretty annoying that his litterary talent is so understated for the benefit of media controversies. Your review is therefore highly appreciated : thank you ! (and yep, the movies he starred in are well worth the watch)

[@T4wsi5w47w7]

Great video as always, by the way

[@Hy-jg8ow]

I can only read philosophy books, because I have no patience left for narratives.

[@MrPROJECTSyNc]

The exception must be Dostoevsky, surely

[@uygarbaspehlivan8200]

Can someone link the critic he mentions throughout the video please?

[@canatico8]

Man, I really need to get my hands on some Houellbecq. French speakers out there, how tough is his stuff to read in the original language?

[@clementine8996]

+canatico8 The language is pretty fluid. No pompousness, no over-subtle grammar structure. Not an overdemanding read in my humble opinion.

[@MagnumInnominandum]

It is never life or death. It is always life unto death.

[@Combiner81]

Would you say it's a good idea to read Submission before reading anything by Huysmans?

[@BetterThanFoodBookReviews]

+Nick P Certainly nothing wrong with it, but it's far more fun to know about the main character's obsession prior...

[@jerrylewisfan8017]

Islamic "Militants" ?

[@alexstrongman1863]

doing any Auster?

[@sykoelf]

That sign off - lol. Do you write at all?

[@BetterThanFoodBookReviews]

+sykoelf I dabble.

[@Smoothbluehero]

What are you drinking? Coke? You're very patrician, I inspire to be you.

[@natesmith9160]

how do i tip you to read something?

[@anac4950]

you talk so much with saying so little I had to skip to minute 6 and didn't get to the point

[@udithsamarasekara1308]

coke and whisky cheers

[@BlowmeRoger]

dry like burnt toast

[@EWOKakaDOOM]

Amazing book. READ IT!

[@adamhollander4]

please please PLEASE read The Narrow Road To The Deep North!

[@piwithatsme]

Great video! Have you read Salman Rushdie's Satanic Verses by chance?

[@wes6571]

Great novel.

[@williamnelson2046]

>best kind of rock and roll YOU STOLE THIS FROM A REVIEW OF OBLIVION BY DFW!!! GHAHAHAHHAHAHJHA GOTCHA... Anyway I liked this review, I'm gonna check out some more of your videos... Houellebecq & the situation and France are very interesting!

[@IanTheEarlobe]

Fuck dude you’re funny

[@zooeyf4052]

Houellebecq is an author that disturbs me. Not with his writing (which would be a good thing), but with his interventions on French medias lately. He has an islamophobic speech that becomes more and more present. It's certainly not known in other countries who don't read or hear those speeches but when he says openly he is "probably islamophobic" in The Guardian or, like today, when he says that it's a shame that the French president has opened the frontieres to strangers (in his "J'accuse" in an italian paper), it's impossible not to see "Submission" thourgh this islamophobic lens...

[@MeandmySara]

Yes it is. That's like saying you can't see Hitler without examining him through a Nazi lens. Or Marx without examine him through the eyes of a Marxist. As for him being Islamophobic, it's easy to dismiss him for that. Perhaps try to examine why he IS Islamophobic. Islam is violent. All Muslim scholars I've ever seen, for example, agree that in Islam, anyone who leaves the religion is to be killed - not metaphorically, not ostracized; slaughtered. There are serious issues with it, and unlike Christianity and Judaism, it hasn't had any wide scale reform. Maybe read some Sam Harris, or better yet, read the Q'ran and try to think critically about it.

[@zooeyf4052]

+Sara Tansey When a writer writes a book about Islam that is considered as islamophobic by many, examining his book(s) through the lens of islamophobism isn't a stupid thing to do it seems to me. I didn't even talk about that but the same should be said about his sexism in fact, especially when it shows in so many of his books... I'm an atheist and for what I've seen so far in my life, violence is not the fact of a specific religion but of all kind of integrisms in each religions. There are no excuses to reduce one group of persons to a single comportment adopted by a small part of this group. I can't argue more because my English is not good enough to allow me to do that correctly but I'd like to point out that violence isn't and was never the only "privilege" of some (and I insist on the SOME) Muslims. Even nowadays.

[@MeandmySara]

+Zooey F I never said only Muslims can be violent. That is ridiculous. Read what I wrote.

[@Hastenforthedawm]

Nothing special about him or Charlie Hebdo, just mouthpieces of French state policy. They're so well protected because they produce propaganda for French interests against Muslims within its population. Someone mentioned Sam Harris in response to you, who openly supports Iraq war, murdering of any brown person and in the current day is doing everything he can to vocally support the genocide of Palestinians in Gaza. Nothing new.

[@femchud9255]

If you care about the cultural continuation of your country/heritage and you’re a native European, Islamophobia is a perfectly logical response

[@ameliefrenken]

Too many cuts, even more honest would be in one cut. Less show element, more about the content. Kudos!

[@spinecrackers1497]

This book is so bad lmao

[@Mlreau]

Off course culture is over. Its objectively not possible in such a black pill moment. Waiting 2 and half years for a translation of his Anihilate in English. Think it's this Sept 2024? The last book I will ever read. Or will I?