Wednesday morning’s attack on the offices of French satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo, which left 12 dead, including four cartoonists and the economist and author Bernard Maris, took place on the French publication date of Michel Houellebecq‘s new novel SUBMISSION, already subject to controversy for its depiction of France under Islamic rule in 2022 (and featured on the cover of Charlie Hebdo’s most recent issue, also published Wednesday). An armed police guard is currently stationed at the headquarters of Houellebecq’s publisher Flammarion, while “a large sign said visitors must request permission by phone and get an escort before entering.” The company’s […]