What a sad book. Serotonin makes Dostoyevsky seem like Friday night standup comedy.
Despite the sadness, the themes that Houellebecq covers are crucial. Our atomization, “Paris: like all cities, Paris was made to generate loneliness,”. Our sexual liberation, which in theory should have opened us boundless joy, yet it brings us increased loneliness and deviation.
Hollebeq mocks modern society through the lens of a middle-aged, lonely, depressed, romantically and professionally unfulfilled, wealthy, alcoholic (but very smart) character. Who decides to go off the grid.
But escaping the city is a remedy in vain. What he finds in the desolation of the Normandy countryside is a nightmare beyond what he ever imagined.
Our observer of the grim design of our modern world is a composite of so many men who have almost scientific knowledge of what’s wrong yet lack the will to change it. The main character just anesthetizes the pain. It’s as if society itself knows exactly what's wrong but it is too distracted – or apathetic — to change anything.
Towards the end, it becomes frustrating to follow the main character. He just soaks in his misery without doing much about it. Serotonin by Michel Houllebecq is an enjoyable read. But do not expect much of a story.
Read it if you are interested in a gross critique of modern society and its decline. Avoid if you are sensitive -- there's some graphic content.