Lanzarote

bit far fetched but what the hell . its well written + wonderfully entertaining (if Ur a fella)fella goes to Lanzarote and is soon having sexual adventures with 2 big breasted lesbians ( looking for a sperm donor ! )but its the fate of a fellow holiday maker that's most fascinating : a morose Belgian man who joins a cult where anything's allowed

After reading Atomised, Platform, The possibility of an Island and most recently the Map and the Territory, I thought i'd delve into Lanzarote. The length did intrigue me as I often find in his works, an exposition is steady and built up over hundreds of pages, but this novelette is classic Houellebecq. The concept seems to be an amalgamation of concepts which are displayed in greater detail in his later novels; the theme of holiday resorts is apparent throughout and the satire created in these sections made me laugh. The dysphemistic tone is reoccurring and other themes such as religion and mortality were directly tackled. I like the work of Houellebecq and it's obvious nihilism is his forte, but sometimes these views seem excessive and as if they're being coerced onto the reader. I enjoyed the character of police officer Rudi and I think what's best about him is the imminent decline, subtly foreshadowed throughout. It felt just like a bit on the side, but it was a good read and managed to perserve depth, though the length restricted this to some extent. I ordered a second hand hardcover copy for £2..81 (including P&P) and from what I can tell this is a new copy; no signs of wear at all so I am elated with the condition of the book.

But I was slightly dissapointed with Lanzarote. Its a very short book, which I don't mind at all, as endless boring description gets on my wick. But it may be too short to have any real relevance, or maybe it just didn't resonate, or I just don't get it.Lanzarote is worth a visit, especially in winter, but take something else to read, Atomised, or Whatever are better books in my opinion.

We are, I suppose, expected to be shocked by the antics with the German ladies but it is all rather predictable and unappetising. I would be very irritated if I had paid much for this tripe.

The main thing I disliked was that it was very short. I paid quite a lot for a Kindle book and it took me about as long to read as a magazine article.The writing was simple in structure and language.Easy to read.Nothing special.

Very interesting but sooo short- what a pity!

Lanzarote can be read easily enough sat down one evening after dinner. It is very funny and very acutely observed. It packs a lot of valued insight into turn of the twenty-first century life. As usual, there is a welcome clarity to Houellebecq's voice. It is a refreshing change to the general dross that attempts to pass itself off as literature today. It is a novella because it is just a little snippet of a brief moment of time. I wouldn't choose to recommend it as a starting point to Houellebecq the novelist necessarily, but for those wanting a whiff of what all the fuss is about, they could do worse than to start here (although I think "Atomised" and "Platform" are a better starting point). His observation on the tourist industry and its use in contemporary society as being the place we turn to to give some meaning and adventure to our lives by running away somewhere for a brief period is a tart one. Grab a second hand copy for peanuts.

Houellebecq is a master.

Great Book lots of fun and dirty

Yes. This is a work of interest for exploring Houellebecq. I would say it is a dress rehearsal for the possibility of an island, perhaps. Rather brief, and the Elohim is the Anakim here, but the work towards the sect and the centre on the Island is part of it. It is interesting, following the evolution of an idea somehow. I haven't checked the timeline of these two works, but that's how I feel about it. The author trying out some new ideas that have yet to evolve.

Thought this would be meaningful after hearing that the author had some insights. Some meaningless shock value, cynical, sardonic. A pity.

Fun story, rather thin. A bit pricey considering it's such a thin book.

As with other Houellebecq novels, this one has moments of cynical wisdom and hilarious black humor. However, the scope of the book is a bit limited, and seems to be a supplement (or extra chapter) for 'The Possibility of an Island.'If you want to read a great Houellebecq novella, go with 'Whatever.' It's plot is self-contained. Regardless, 'Lanzarote' is a great snack, and can be read in 2 - 4 hours.