“The Map and the Territory”: work, not sex, at last 
In a review of the latest book by Michel Houellebecq, “The Map and the Territory”, Elaine Blair explores the common themes in his novels: alienation, boredom, depression and, above all, sexual frustration.
She acknowledges, however, that the new book focuses more on the creative endeavors of the protagonist, and less on his sexuality:
The Map and the Territory, like Jed’s life, is organized around his work rather than his love affairs. Jed might go out with an interesting woman when she crosses his path, he might hire a prostitute here and there, but sex is not a big deal, and love, though it still matters, is not the most important part of his life. “The last remaining myth of Western civilization was that sex was something to do; something expedient, a diversion,” writes Houellebecq in The Elementary Particles. His earlier books were taken up with that myth and its ruinous effect on the characters’ lives. The new book actually gives sex the diminished place that it deserves, according to Houellebecq’s logic. In this way there is something idealistic in the structure of the book: it offers an example of the right way to apportion work and sex in one’s life. There is an ideal expressed in the narrative tone as well: in distinction from the earlier novels, it is calm.
A great read for anybody interested in Houellebecq’s work.
