From the author of the cult favorite Atomised, reading Houellebecq is like being inside a tropical storm: you are swept away by the intensity of his imagination.

Michel is a civil servant at the Ministry of Culture. When his father is murdered, Michel takes leave from his job to go on a package vacation to Thailand. Disillusioned by the shallow hypocrisy and mediocrity of his fellow travelers, only the awkward Valerie captures his attention. Too timid to pursue her, he prefers the simple pleasures of Thai massages and relationships with local women.

Returning to Paris, he calls Valerie, and they plunge into a passionate relationship that leads to S&M, partner swapping, and sex in public places. Michel resigns from his job and tries to help Valerie and her boss, Jean-Yves, with their troubled travel business by offering travel packages based on sex tourism in the third world. When their project is completed and the three return to Thailand, Michel discovers that sex is neither the most consumable nor the most dangerous of human passions.

With Atomised, one could see that Houellebecq was destined for great things. With Platform, he has achieved it. The book is an impressive accomplishment.

Pages: 368, Dimensions: 13x13cm