Brian Martinez (![[info]](http://p-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small} cluebyfour) wrote,@ 2008-05-08 16:16:00 |
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| Entry tags: | books, funny |
in the family way
Eighty-three-year-old French writer Lucie Ceccaldi minces no words in her contempt for fellow countryman and scribe Michel Houellebecq:
So what is Ceccaldi's problem with Houellebecq? Well, for starters, she deems him an "evil, stupid little bastard," a "liar, an imposter, a parasite and above all—above all—a petit arriviste ready to do absolutely anything for money and fame." Of Elementary Particles [one of Houellebecq's best-known novels], Ceccaldi says: "That book is pure pornography, it's repugnant, it's crap. I don't understand its success at all, that just shows the decadance of France." And the rest of his ouevre: "What's this moronic literature?! Houellebecq is someone who's never done anything, who's never really desired anything, who never wanted to look at others. And that arrogance of taking yourself as superior ... Stupid little bastard. Yes, Houellebecq's a stupid little bastard..."
The punchline:
It should be noted, though, that Ceccaldi is currenly promoting her own memoir, titled L'Innocente, and is obviously trying to gin up interest in the book. And perhaps it should also be noted, in the spirit of full disclosure, that Mme. Ceccaldi is M. Houellebecq's mother.
I bet their family reunions are a hoot.
HT: reason's Hit & Run.
