Probably the only living writer that interests me. I really enjoyed Atomised. Just finished The Map and The Territory which was, despite not being quite as accomplished as Atomised, a superb read. The plot consists of an artist trying to paint a famous writer, the writer in question being none other than... Michel Houellebecq. That he makes himself a character in the book allows him to explore themes of celebrity and death from a satirical and inventive perspective. Compared to most contemporary novels I read, which either win or are nominated for Booker prizes despite being tedious and predictable, Houellebecq's books are head and shoulders above them. Even his throw-away novels like this. Will read more of him soon.
