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Noah Brown
Noah Brown

Soumission: How Michel Houellebecq Imagined a Muslim France in His Controversial Novel


Houellebecq Soumission English Epub Filel: A Controversial Novel That Explores The Future Of France Under Islamic Rule




Introduction




Have you ever wondered what would happen if France became an Islamic state? That's the premise of Soumission, a provocative novel by Michel Houellebecq, one of France's most controversial and influential writers. Soumission, which means "submission" in French, was published in 2015 and caused a huge stir in France and abroad. The novel imagines a scenario where a Muslim party wins the presidential election in 2022 and transforms France into a conservative Islamic society.




Houellebecq Soumission English Epub Filel


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The novel tackles some of the most sensitive and divisive issues in contemporary Europe, such as immigration, multiculturalism, secularism, identity, and religion. It also explores themes such as love, sex, freedom, power, literature, and education. Some critics praised Soumission as a brilliant satire and a visionary work of fiction, while others condemned it as a racist and Islamophobic propaganda. The novel also coincided with the tragic Charlie Hebdo attacks that took place in Paris in January 2015, which added to its controversy and relevance.


If you are interested in reading Soumission, you might want to look for an epub file online. An epub file is a digital format that allows you to read ebooks on various devices, such as computers, tablets, smartphones, and e-readers. An epub file is easy to download, store, and access, and it also offers features such as adjustable font size, bookmarks, annotations, and hyperlinks. You can find many websites that offer Houellebecq Soumission English epub filel for free or for a small fee. However, you should be careful about the quality and legality of the files you download, as some of them might be corrupted, incomplete, or pirated.


Summary of the Plot




The novel is narrated by François, a 44-year-old professor of literature at the Sorbonne University in Paris. He is an expert on the 19th-century writer Joris-Karl Huysmans, whose life and works he admires and emulates. François is also a cynical and disillusioned man who has no interest in politics, religion, or society. He lives a solitary and hedonistic life, having casual sex with his students and spending his evenings watching TV or surfing the internet.


The novel begins in 2022, when France is facing a political crisis. The traditional parties are losing popularity and credibility, while the far-right National Front led by Marine Le Pen is gaining momentum. The only party that can challenge the National Front is the Muslim Brotherhood, a moderate Islamic party led by Mohammed Ben Abbes, a charismatic and pragmatic politician. The Muslim Brotherhood has formed alliances with other parties and groups, such as the socialists, the greens, the feminists, and the Catholics. They promise to restore order, morality, and prosperity to France by implementing Islamic values and laws.


In the first round of the presidential election, Le Pen and Ben Abbes are the two most voted candidates, followed by François Hollande, the incumbent president. This result triggers a wave of violence and chaos in the country, as supporters of the National Front clash with Muslim immigrants and radicals. François witnesses some of these riots and looting in Paris, but he remains indifferent and detached. He decides to leave the city and spend some time in the countryside with his parents.


In the second round of the election, Ben Abbes defeats Le Pen by a narrow margin, thanks to the support of the other parties and groups. He becomes the first Muslim president of France and starts to implement his agenda. He appoints a new prime minister, a former socialist leader named Robert Rediger. He also makes a deal with the European Union to expand its borders to include North Africa and Turkey, creating a new Mediterranean bloc that rivals China and the United States. He also launches a massive education reform that gives more autonomy and funding to private schools, especially Islamic ones.


François returns to Paris after the election and finds out that his university has been taken over by an Islamic foundation. He is told that he can keep his job only if he converts to Islam and marries a Muslim woman. He is also offered a generous salary and benefits package if he agrees to these conditions. François is initially reluctant and skeptical, but he soon realizes that he has nothing to lose or to live for. He meets Rediger, who turns out to be a former colleague and a fan of Huysmans. Rediger convinces François that Islam is the only solution for his existential crisis and that Huysmans himself would have converted to Islam if he had lived in their times.


François decides to convert to Islam and accept Rediger's offer. He marries three young women who are assigned to him by Rediger: Myriam, a Jewish convert; Rachida, a French-Moroccan; and Aïcha, a Saudi princess. He moves into a luxurious apartment in Paris with his wives and resumes his teaching career at the university. He also starts to study Arabic and read the Quran. He feels happy and fulfilled for the first time in his life.


The novel ends with François visiting the tomb of Huysmans in Ligugé, where he reflects on his new faith and destiny. He wonders if he has made the right choice or if he has betrayed himself and his culture. He also wonders if France will survive or collapse under Islamic rule.


Analysis of the Characters




Criticism and Reception of the Novel




Soumission was one of the most anticipated and controversial novels of 2015. It was published on January 7, the same day that two Islamist gunmen attacked the offices of Charlie Hebdo, a satirical magazine that had published cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad. The attack killed 12 people and wounded 11 others, sparking a wave of solidarity and outrage across France and the world. The novel was seen by some as a prophetic and timely warning about the dangers of Islamism and the decline of Western civilization, while others saw it as a cynical and hateful attack on Islam and Muslims.


The novel received mixed reviews from critics and readers. Some praised it as a masterpiece of political fiction and a courageous satire of contemporary society. They argued that Houellebecq was not Islamophobic but rather critical of all religions and ideologies. They also pointed out that Houellebecq was not endorsing Islam but rather exposing its contradictions and flaws. They admired Houellebecq's style, humor, and imagination, and compared him to writers such as George Orwell, Aldous Huxley, and Philip K. Dick.


Others criticized it as a poorly written and poorly researched novel that relied on stereotypes and clichés. They accused Houellebecq of being racist, sexist, and Islamophobic, and of spreading fear and hatred among his readers. They also questioned Houellebecq's credibility and motives, and suggested that he was exploiting the current political climate for his own benefit. They denounced Houellebecq's style, plot, and characters as dull, unrealistic, and offensive, and compared him to writers such as Jean-Marie Le Pen, Oriana Fallaci, and Richard Dawkins.


The novel also had an impact on Houellebecq's reputation and career. It became a bestseller in France and abroad, selling over 800,000 copies in France alone. It also won several literary awards, such as the Prix Goncourt des Lycéens and the Prix de la BnF. It was translated into more than 20 languages and adapted into a film by Guillaume Nicloux in 2019. However, it also provoked threats and protests from some Muslim groups and individuals who considered it blasphemous and insulting. Houellebecq received police protection and had to cancel some of his public appearances. He also faced legal action from some organizations that accused him of inciting racial hatred.


Comparison with Other Works by Houellebecq




Soumission is not the first novel by Houellebecq that deals with controversial topics such as religion, politics, sex, and culture. In fact, most of his novels share similar themes and features that define his literary style and vision. Some of these are:



  • A pessimistic and nihilistic view of human nature and society.



  • A cynical and ironic tone that mixes humor and despair.



  • A provocative and polemical approach that challenges conventional wisdom and morality.



  • A realistic and detailed description of contemporary issues and phenomena.



  • A speculative and imaginative exploration of alternative scenarios and possibilities.



  • A personal and autobiographical element that reflects Houellebecq's own experiences and opinions.



Some of the other novels by Houellebecq that deal with similar topics as Soumission are:



  • Extension du domaine de la lutte (1994), translated as Whatever, which depicts the alienation and frustration of a computer programmer who suffers from sexual impotence.



  • Les Particules élémentaires (1998), translated as The Elementary Particles, which tells the story of two half-brothers who represent different aspects of modern society: one is a molecular biologist who tries to create a new human race; the other is a depressed teacher who converts to a new age cult.



  • Plateforme (2001), translated as Platform, which follows the adventures of a civil servant who falls in love with a woman who works for a sex tourism company.



  • La Possibilité d'une île (2005), translated as The Possibility of an Island, which narrates the life of a comedian who joins a religious sect that believes in cloning and immortality.



  • La Carte et le territoire (2010), translated as The Map and the Territory, which portrays the rise and fall of a successful artist who becomes the victim of a brutal murder.



Conclusion




Soumission is a novel that provokes and challenges its readers. It invites us to reflect on the future of France and Europe, and on the role of Islam and religion in general. It also raises questions about our own values, beliefs, and choices. Whether we agree or disagree with Houellebecq, we cannot ignore his voice and vision. He is a writer who dares to imagine and express what others fear or avoid. He is a writer who makes us think and feel.


FAQs




Where can I find Houellebecq Soumission English epub filel online?




There are many websites that offer Houellebecq Soumission English epub filel online, but you should be careful about the quality and legality of the files you download. Some of them might be corrupted, incomplete, or pirated. You should always check the reviews and ratings of the websites before downloading anything. You should also use a reliable antivirus software to scan the files for any malware or viruses. Some of the websites that offer Houellebecq Soumission English epub filel online are:



  • https://www.ebookhunter.net/soumission-by-michel-houellebecq-epub-pdf-download/



  • https://www.ebooks.com/en-us/book/209561051/submission/michel-houellebecq/



  • https://www.amazon.com/Submission-Novel-Michel-Houellebecq-ebook/dp/B00SI0B5FS



Is Soumission a realistic or a dystopian novel?




Soumission is a novel that blurs the line between realism and dystopia. On one hand, it is based on actual facts and events that have happened or could happen in France and Europe, such as the rise of Islamism, the decline of secularism, the crisis of democracy, and the threat of terrorism. On the other hand, it exaggerates and distorts these facts and events to create a fictional scenario that is unlikely and extreme, such as the election of a Muslim president, the transformation of France into an Islamic state, and the conversion of François to Islam. Therefore, Soumission is a novel that mixes realism and dystopia to create a satire and a warning.


Is Soumission a satire or a serious critique of Islam and France?




Soumission is a novel that can be interpreted as both a satire and a serious critique of Islam and France. On one hand, it is a satire that mocks and ridicules Islam and France by showing their absurdities and contradictions. It exposes the hypocrisy and corruption of both sides, and the weakness and cowardice of their leaders and followers. It also uses humor and irony to make fun of their beliefs and behaviors. On the other hand, it is a serious critique that denounces and condemns Islam and France by showing their dangers and consequences. It reveals the violence and oppression of both sides, and the loss and suffering of their victims. It also uses logic and evidence to support its arguments.


How does Soumission relate to the Charlie Hebdo attacks that happened in 2015?




Soumission relates to the Charlie Hebdo attacks that happened in 2015 in several ways. First, it was published on the same day that two Islamist gunmen attacked the offices of Charlie Hebdo, a satirical magazine that had published cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad. The attack killed 12 people and wounded 11 others, sparking a wave of solidarity and outrage across France and the world. Second, it was seen by some as a prophetic and timely warning about the dangers of Islamism Okay, I will continue writing the FAQs based on the outline I have created. Here are the rest of the FAQs: What are some of the other novels that deal with similar topics as Soumission?




There are many other novels that deal with similar topics as Soumission, such as religion, politics, culture, and identity. Some of them are:



  • The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood, which depicts a dystopian future where a Christian fundamentalist regime has taken over the United States and subjugated women.



  • 1984 by George Orwell, which portrays a totalitarian society where a single party controls every aspect of life and suppresses any dissent or opposition.



  • The Plot Against America by Philip Roth, which imagines an alternate history where Charles Lindbergh, a Nazi sympathizer, becomes the president of the United States and allies with Hitler.



  • The Reluctant Fundamentalist by Mohsin Hamid, which tells the story of a Pakistani man who becomes disillusioned with America after the 9/11 attacks and returns to his homeland.



  • The Satanic Verses by Salman Rushdie, which explores the themes of migration, identity, and faith through the lives of two Indian actors who survive a plane crash and become involved in a supernatural conflict.



Is Soumission a good novel to read?




Soumission is a good novel to read if you are interested in contemporary issues and debates, and if you enjoy challenging and provocative fiction. It is a novel that will make you think and feel, and that will stimulate your curiosity and imagination. However, it is also a novel that might offend or disturb you, and that might require some background knowledge and critical thinking. It is not a novel for everyone, but it is a novel worth reading. 71b2f0854b


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