Platform by Michel Houellebecq

Michel is a civil-servant at the Ministry of Culture. When his father is murdered, Michel takes a leave of absence to go on a package tour to Thailand. Infuriated by the shallow hypocrisy and mediocrity of his fellow travellers, only the awkward Valerie attracts his attention. Too bashful to pursue her, Michel prefers the uncomplicated pleasures of Thai massage parlours and sex with local women. Back in Paris, he calls Valerie and they plunge into a passionate affair, which strays into S&M, partner-swapping and sex in public. Michel quits his job, and tries to help Valerie and her boss, Jean-Yves, in their ailing travel business, by offering travel packages based on sex tourism in the third world. When their project comes to fruition and the three return to Thailand, Michel discovers that sex is neither the most consuming nor the most dangerous of human passions...

- Google

The 725th greatest fiction book of all time


This book is on the following lists:

  1. - 6th on A Premature Attempt at the 21st Century Canon (Vulture)
  2. - 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die (The Book)

Buy This Book

Name Binding Sales Rank Lowest New Lowest Used Published
Platform Paperback 1749730 $15.75 $5.03 2003
Plataforma / Platform (Spanish Edition) Paperback 3048508 $15.21 $9.19 2013
Plataforma (Compactos anagrama nÂș 335) (Spanish Edition) Kindle Edition 730805 2014
By Michel Houellebecq - Platform (Reprint) (2004-07-28) [Paperback] Paperback 7368302 $30.42 $10.92 2004
Platform Paperback 192478 $12.13 $4.66 2004