Whatever A Novel

Whatever A Novel by Michel Houellebecq, published by Serpent’s Tail in 1999, is a work of fiction that spans 155 pages. The narrative follows a thirty-year-old computer programmer who grapples with depression and a lack of romantic fulfillment. As he navigates his mundane existence, he finds himself paired with a colleague, the socially awkward Raphael Tisserand, to train provincial civil servants on a new computer system. This setup leads to a darkly humorous exploration of modern life and the constraints imposed by societal expectations.

Readers will encounter a grim yet clever portrayal of the protagonist’s struggles, marked by his smoking habit and peculiar hobby of writing animal stories. The novel delves into themes of isolation and the diminishing sense of freedom in a world dominated by technology and routine. Houellebecq’s narrative offers a painfully realistic reflection on contemporary life, inviting readers to consider the absurdities of existence in a society governed by science and empty rituals.