A French author, director, and poet. He wrote poems as a career starter. In addition, he wrote Howard Phillips Lovecraft's biography. Subsequently, "Extension du domaine de la lutte," his debut novel, was released in 1994. "Les particules élémentaires," his second novel, was released in 1998. Following a book tour in support of Plateforme, which was published in 2001, Houellebecq relocated to Ireland. After a few years there, he relocated to Spain. In 2010, he was also awarded the Goncourt Prize for his book, The Map and the Territory.