Novelist Michel Houellebecq (pictured, via) has won France’s prestigious literary prize, the Prix Goncourt. He won for the novel, La Carte et Le Territoire (The Map and The Territory).

The AP has the story. The article quoted Houellebecq’s post-win interview with France’s i-Tele TV: “I am very happy … After all, I think it was necessary in my life … Among all the people who are going to discover my books thanks to this prize, I hope I won’t disappoint them and they’ll be happy.”

Since the news broke this morning, the name “Houellebecq” has been trending worldwide on Twitter. The prize was established by the foundation of French author and publisher Edmond de Goncourt. (Via Sarah Weinman)