Michel Houellebecq’s Public Enemies

This is the rakish heritage in which Public Enemies, the new book by nihilist imp Michel Houellebecq and Socialist socialite Bernard Henri-Lévy, was written—or, rather, published. The work began as a mystery. In 2007 the prominent French publishing house Flammarion announced a surprise book. It was to be a fiery exchange, a “duel,” between two famous figures. One was named (Houellebecq); the other was not. Houellebecq has called Islam “the stupidest religion in the world.” He has written books about sex that make you never want to have sex again—not because it is violent or grasping, but because it is merely an itch to be scratched by Thai escorts, truly an expense of spirit in a waste of shame. His second book of poetry was entitled Sense of Combat; when he did not receive the prestigious Prix Goncourt in 1998, he called the winner “total crap.” In other words, he is far from politic, and far from polite. And so when Flammarion announced that this perennially scandalous figure was going to fight someone—in print!—it did not fail to excite interest. When his opponent —Bernard Henri-Lévy—was announced, that interest did not wane.

In short, Public Enemies seemed like it would be great fun. Two much-loathed writers—one bedraggled and bitter, the other telegenic and triumphal—having it out. Instead of the usual round of fair-play figures from the French cultural establishment denouncing the philosophical poverty of Henri-Lévy and the crass narcissism of Houellebecq, they would do it themselves, and doubtless do it better. Or, at least, so it was hoped.

The book being reviewed is Public Enemies by Bernard-Henri Levy and Michel Houellebecq. More at Bookforum.

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