Three years earlier in 1998, Houellebecq's novel Atomised became an instant bestseller, and turned him into France's enfant terrible of letters, with its description of homosexuality, sexual voyeurism, racism and violence.
Michel Houellebecq readily admits that he enjoys attacking, insulting and provoking, so while it is not his style to look cheerful or sound optimistic, the French writer cannot fail to be chuckling at the reaction to his latest novel, Plateforme. In the three weeks since it was published, it has won praise and stirred outrage. And sold some 240 000 copies.