The most recent addition to the complete review is my review of Michel Houellebecq's Submission.
On the one hand I am way early with this -- the William Heinemann/UK edition is only due out in September, the Farrar, Straus and Giroux/US one in October -- yet I can't recall the last time I covered a title not yet available in English translation with so many English-language reviews to link to already up.
It made a huge splash when it came out in French; on many levels I find it hard to take it very seriously, but have to admit I enjoyed it more than any book I have in quite some time (yes, part of that is that I enjoy Houellebecq's particular kind of silliness). And I am curious what the (popular) American take will be, as the Islamic regime Houellebecq installs in France is uncomfortably similar in many respects (most, save the embrace of polygamy) to the American 'Tea Party'.
On the one hand I am way early with this -- the William Heinemann/UK edition is only due out in September, the Farrar, Straus and Giroux/US one in October -- yet I can't recall the last time I covered a title not yet available in English translation with so many English-language reviews to link to already up.
It made a huge splash when it came out in French; on many levels I find it hard to take it very seriously, but have to admit I enjoyed it more than any book I have in quite some time (yes, part of that is that I enjoy Houellebecq's particular kind of silliness). And I am curious what the (popular) American take will be, as the Islamic regime Houellebecq installs in France is uncomfortably similar in many respects (most, save the embrace of polygamy) to the American 'Tea Party'.