What Houellebecq Learned from Huysmans
newyorker.com
What Houellebecq Learned from Huysmans
1–10 of 18 posts
Re: What Houellebecq Learned from Huysmans
#2he’s read the Koran and is no longer calling Islam “the stupidest” of all religions, as he did in 2001
It's hard to say whether he found new respect for Islam or just doesn't want to be hassled by the French authorities (they put him on trial for that remark).
Re: What Houellebecq Learned from Huysmans
#3he’s read the Koran and is no longer calling Islam “the stupidest” of all religions, as he did in 2001 It's hard to say whether he found new respect for Islam or just doesn't want to be hassled by the French authorities (they put him on trial for that remark).
I 'm not sure he has changed much his views as the article seems to hint at. There are several comments about it in his latest book, and it's also provides the background story.
He even says so in this interview http://www.theguardian.com/books/2015/sep/06/michel-houelleb...
Re: What Houellebecq Learned from Huysmans
#4he’s read the Koran and is no longer calling Islam “the stupidest” of all religions, as he did in 2001 It's hard to say whether he found new respect for Islam or just doesn't want to be hassled by the French authorities (they put him on trial for that remark).
It says a lot about the mentality of the French left that calling a religion "stupid" gets you a criminal charge...
"Touche pas a mon pote" has devolved into "say nothing about Islam, except that it's the religion of peace".
Hopefully this will change, and we'll be able to make meaningful criticisms.
I leave it as an exercise to the reader to translate the following quote: "Sans la liberté de blâmer, il n'est pas d'éloge flatteur."
Re: What Houellebecq Learned from Huysmans
#5he’s read the Koran and is no longer calling Islam “the stupidest” of all religions, as he did in 2001 It's hard to say whether he found new respect for Islam or just doesn't want to be hassled by the French authorities (they put him on trial for that remark).
It says a lot about the mentality of the French left that calling a religion "stupid" gets you a criminal charge... "Touche pas a mon pote" has devolved into "say nothing about Islam, except that it's the religion of peace". Hopefully this will change, and we'll be able to make meaningful criticisms. I leave it as an exercise to the reader to translate the following quote: "Sans la liberté de blâmer, il n'est pas d'é…
>It says a lot about the mentality of the French left that calling a religion "stupid" gets you a criminal charge...
Well, in the US if it hit a wrong nerve with someone you could lose your job -- even if you said it on your personal account. Heck, it has happened for far less offensive things.
And unless you name-check God every so often, whether Republican or Democrat, you ain't getting to be President. If God "talks to you" directly, even better.
Re: What Houellebecq Learned from Huysmans
#6he’s read the Koran and is no longer calling Islam “the stupidest” of all religions, as he did in 2001 It's hard to say whether he found new respect for Islam or just doesn't want to be hassled by the French authorities (they put him on trial for that remark).
French authorities did not put him on trial, several islamic organisations and one human rights organisation did. And they lost, as it was requested by the prosecutor, who represents French authorities.
Re: What Houellebecq Learned from Huysmans
#7Earlier quoted context omitted.
It says a lot about the mentality of the French left that calling a religion "stupid" gets you a criminal charge... "Touche pas a mon pote" has devolved into "say nothing about Islam, except that it's the religion of peace". Hopefully this will change, and we'll be able to make meaningful criticisms. I leave it as an exercise to the reader to translate the following quote: "Sans la liberté de blâmer, il n'est pas d'é…
> It says a lot about the mentality of the French left that calling a religion "stupid" gets you a criminal charge... Well, in the US if it hit a wrong nerve with someone you could lose your job -- even if you said it on your personal account. Heck, it has happened for far less offensive things. And unless you name-check God every so often, whether Republican or Democrat, you ain't getting to be President. If God "ta…
In the UK you can be arrested for posting on Facebook that your beauty salon is 'no longer taking bookings from anyone from the Islamic faith'.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3320166/Police-arres...
Re: What Houellebecq Learned from Huysmans
#8he’s read the Koran and is no longer calling Islam “the stupidest” of all religions, as he did in 2001 It's hard to say whether he found new respect for Islam or just doesn't want to be hassled by the French authorities (they put him on trial for that remark).
I 'm not sure he has changed much his views as the article seems to hint at. There are several comments about it in his latest book, and it's also provides the background story. He even says so in this interview http://www.theguardian.com/books/2015/sep/06/michel-houelleb...
He seems like an incredibly fascinating and flawed man, and I love reading his novels (not to say that I agree with the views in them..), but I've never been quite sure where the real Houellebecq starts and the fictional persona begins. Maybe what you see is who he is, but I'm not sure.
Re: What Houellebecq Learned from Huysmans
#9Knausgaard had similar observations of Houellebecq and Huysmans:
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/08/books/review/michel-houell...
Re: What Houellebecq Learned from Huysmans
#10The difference is that Huysmans' A Rebours is a relatively intellectual and sophisticated novel, while Houellebecq's is pedestrian garbage.