A review by carrotsoup
Submissão by Michel Houellebecq

dark reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

My takeaway from Submission is that this is not so much a book about immigration or Islam as a religion as it is about how pointless and worn-down an existence modern Europeans lead, and how easily the democratic system can brutally shift (or be shifted) toward one way or the other. The political rise of Ben Abbes really made me feel like this could be about the rise of any other religion / ideology - I was namely reminded of fascism and Nazism. In reality Islam here can be an signifier for anything that claims to fill the void in those who are hopeless and lost, and that quells the lust and desires of those individuals who desperately want to be in positions of power over others.