Extension Du Domaine De La Lutte (1994)

The english translation is titled "Whatever", the dutch translation "De Wereld Als Markt En Strijd" (The World As Market And Fights), while the original french title means something like "The Extension Of The Field Of The Fight". I don't know how they came up with those titles, but let's move on. We're talking here about the debut of Michel Houellebecq.

It's a story told by a depressive 30-year old (which is young according to the cover) employer of a software company. His depression is clearly shown by his negative, but convincing, view of a world without love, while his days seem to go by by just doing what he's been told to do.

I've read it in about two days. The "I know it all"-attitude of the main character is somewhat annoying, but his opinions and views about modern life is what this novel is appearantly all about. Here's a rough translation of a piece that is characteristic about this novel.

"The next day someone of the company called me to talk with me personally, a secretary of a CEO who has got this uncomfortable mission to execute. She did it perfectly, she first made all the usual avoiding movements and assured me the recovery of my health was top priority for them. Still she really wanted to know if I was able to go to La Roche-sur-Yon as planned. I responded I had no idea about this, but this was one of my strongest desires. She laughed a bit foolishly; but she was one of those foolish type of persons, I've noticed that already".

This is just a book that will move you, one way or the other. I wasn't really blown away, but it's not bad either. Just give it a chance I would say, especially if you're one of those persons who don't know why we have to work so much or simply can't stand all your phony colleagues.

By the way: I've wrote a blog last year about another novel of Houellebecq. Read it here.