Michel Houellebecq, the controversial French author, has consistently produced novels that explore societal challenges, often tracing back to the cultural revolution of the 1960s.

His new book, "Quelques Mois dans ma Vie" (A Few Months in My Life), which was published in May 2023, reveals two recent scandals that have embroiled his life.In this episode I interview RJ Smith, an Australian author who lives in Paris. Quillette recently published RJ's critical review of Houellebecq's new book, which you can read here: https://quillette.com/2023/06/26/the-sorrow-and-the-self-pity/

Aside from discussing Houellebecq's life and work, we delve into France's tumultuous colonial history and its modern day ramifications in the form of tensions between French citizens of Maghrebi descent and the broader French population. The term "Maghrebi" refers to people from the Maghreb region of North Africa, including Algeria, Tunisia, and Morocco.Just last month riots took place after Maghrebi teen Nahel Merzouk was killed by French police. We discuss that and the gilets jaune (yellow jacket) protests which kicked off in 2018 and are still going to this day.

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