Liliane

“Irony won't save you from anything; humour doesn't do anything at all. You can look at life ironically for years, maybe decades; there are people who seem to go through most of their lives seeing the funny side, but in the end, life always breaks your heart. Doesn't matter how brave you are, or how reserved, or how much you've developed a sense of humour, you still end up with your heart broken. That's when you stop laughing.”
― Michel Houellebecq, The Elementary Particles

“I can be many people,depending what
the situation demands. He pulls a face. He conjures forth anger, he smiles, looks surprised, attentive, reserved, inquisitive, watchful. Which of all of these am I really? How easy it is to lose your own view of yourself when you sometimes think you can be anyone at all.”
― Mons Kallentoft, Midvinterblod

“What about you, Michel, what are you going to do here?'

The response closest to the truth was probably something like 'Nothing'; but it's always difficult to explain that kind of thing to an active person.”
― Michel Houellebecq, Platform

“What the boy felt was something pure, something gentle, something that predates sex or sensual fulfillment. It was the simple desire to reach out and touch a loving body, to be held in loving arms. Tenderness is a deeper instinct than seduction, which is why it is so difficult to give up hope.”
― Michel Houellebecq, The Elementary Particles