I love Houellebecq. It’s said of many novelists I know, but in Houellebecq’s case it’s true: there really is no-one out there who writes like he does. So refreshing, and of course, good for expanding the old sexual vocabulary. .

If you can’t read French, the English version, Atomised, translated by Frank Wynne, won the International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award for writer and translator, so should be worth checking out.

A bleak and desolate world view that comes highly, highly recommended.