Houellebecq: I never denied being pro-Israel
In Tel Aviv press conference, controversial French author discusses his books, characters and political opinions. 'I am regularly badmouthed by pro-Palestinian sites, but I don't know a Palestinian organization which would be stupid enough to hurt me'
Controversial French writer Michel Houellebecq arrived in Israel last week as part of the campaign promoting his new book, "The Map and the Territory."
In a press conference at the French Institute in Tel Aviv, he discussed his political opinions and the fact that he is often slammed on pro-Palestinian websites.
"I have never denied being pro-Israel," he said, adding that he was not afraid to visit the Jewish state.
"French singer Mireille Mathieu was supposed to arrive in Israel about a week ago, and canceled her visit for different reasons. I don't believe there is a pro-Palestinian organization which would be stupid enough to hurt her or me," he noted, laughing.
Houellebecq. Supports Israel (Photo: Ofer Amram)
Houellebecq was asked about his success in Israel, a country far from the French mentality.
"It's a tough question," the writer responded. "In Germany I succeeded pretty fast, but there it has to do with the publication of the books in a time when they dealt with relations between generations. In Russia I succeeded too, but I don't really know why. Sometimes you know and sometimes you simply don't.
"I was very successful in Argentina. The Argentinean writers have a deep connection with French literature and have been waiting for a French author they could like for a long time.
"I just arrived in Israel, so I don't know, but at the moment I feel that you are being neglected by France, with all the boycott stories and Mireille Mathieu. It varies from country to country. This feeling is completely unjustified, but understandable."
Houellebecq, who won the prestigious Prix Goncourt this year, is considered one of the most important authors of our generation, thanks to his realistic writing about the modern society and the decadent nature of Western bourgeoisie. He says he does not think the award changed anything in him or in his writing.
'I don't hate women'
During the press conference, Houellebecq spoke about the character of Olga in "The Map and the Territory".
"There is a deep reason for Olga being quite beautiful and attractive, and if I had let her have sex it would have happened throughout the book, and then I wouldn't have been able to write the rest," he said, laughing.
"I am usually accused of hating women, but the truth is that I'm a good person. There is a character of a women hater, which is a sort of classic character, and I am nothing like it. On the other hand, I enjoy the uncertainty regarding my image."
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"It's very hard for me to write literary sex scenes," Houellebecq shared during the press conference. "I feel I have done it better in the past, and today I can no longer do it better."
As for his work these days, Houellebecq said he was in the midst of a semi-documentary project which would be based on his book "To Stay Alive". He is not writing a new book now, but asked to convey a message to his reader: "Don't worry."
"The Map and the Territory," Houellebecq's fifth book, maps a series of things worth to live for: Father-son relationships, friendships, work, creation and the passion to describe the world as it is. Some say it is his most personal novel, and he even appears in it as one of the character, writer Michel Houellebecq.
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