The Map and the Territory, the quasi masterpiece
I was not disappointed, but almost.
I finally decided to read Michel Houellebecq when a university professor, whose eyes sparkle with intelligence, told me he was the best French writer (alive, I guess). And by chance, I came across his Goncourt prize.
It starts well enough. The first page describes the actions of a man, Jeff Koons. One obviously thinks that he is the main character, or at least one of the characters, when we learn that it is the creation of Jed Martin, a painter. Out of curiosity, I do a little research and learn that Jed Martin exists. Surprise number 2. Surprise number 3: Jed Martin wants Michel Houellebecq to write his catalog (I remind you that Michel Houellebecq is the writer of the book).
From the following pages, I retained little. Jed Martin meets a woman, whom I liked for her mix of beauty and intelligence devoid of exaggerated eroticism. But their story falls apart. The painter becomes rich, but doesn't care.
Third book: it's like falling into a detective story. A terrible crime has been committed. It has a connection to the rest, of course, but it's not immediately obvious, and I won't reveal the punch to leave it to you. The ending is a bit... boring. There's no ending. It doesn't even end strangely. It just ends.
I'm tough on books that have won prizes like the Goncourt. And frankly, this one didn't quite convince me. We can see Houellebecq's talent: it is beautifully crafted, the characters are powerful, his vision of the world penetrates us like humidity. But we also notice, it seems, his "ennui". By the way, interesting fact, he copied entire passages from Wikipedia, to the point where he thanked the online encyclopedia in the paperback edition (which I have read).
I feel that he deserves his Goncourt prize. But maybe not for this book.
Michel Houellebecq
15,26 $
