CRITICISM

Harris, Michael. “A Look at Causes of Human Unhappiness.” Los Angeles Times (31 October 2000): E3.

Harris applauds the honesty, humor, and tenderness of The Elementary Particles, though notes that the novel is often one-dimensional and unsubtle.

Karwowski, Michael. “Michel Houellebecq: French Novelist for Our Times.” Contemporary Review 282, no. 1650 (July 2003): 40-7.

Karwowski examines the accusations of racism brought against Houellebecq and compliments his consistent tone of impartiality in Platform.

Marr, Andrew. “We're All Doomed (Middle-aged French Philosophers Excepted).” Observer (21 May 2000): 12.

Marr admires Houellebecq's ability to make his objectionable subject matter appealing in Atomised, noting that the work is “a novel of ideas which comes close to working.”

Masson, Sophie. “The Strange Case of Michel Houellebecq.” Quadrant 47, no. 6 (June 2003): 52-6.

Masson explores Houellebecq's controversial career, focusing on the reaction to his negative remarks concerning Islam in Platform.

Nehring, Cristina. “Love in the Time of Hedonism: Michel Houellebecq's New Novel.” Harper's 307, no. 1839 (August 2003): 75-81.

Nehring praises the scope of material in Platform but notes that Houellebecq examines social issues in “so individual and honest and blithely self-centered a way that it is almost impossible for him to offer a consistent statement about them.”

Sturrock, John. “Agitated Neurons.” London Review of Books 21, no. 2 (21 January 1999): 24-5.

Sturrock examines the controversy surrounding the publication of Extension du domaine de la lutte and Les Particules élémentaires, concluding that both novels are impressive, if distasteful, commentaries on contemporary life.

Additional coverage of Houellebecq's life and career is contained in the following sources published by the Gale Group: Contemporary Authors, Vol. 185; and Literature Resource Center.