As far as nascent literary subgenres go, there may be none sadder than the maternal counter-memoir. As we wait for Augusten Burroughs' mom to come out with her version of the truth, we can -- if we're French-- already read Lucie Ceccaldi's take on her son Michel Houellebecq's dysfunctional childhood, which he fictionalized in 'The Elementary Particles.'

Angelique Chrisafis, who interviewed her in the Guardian, says that while "literary theorists welcome the precious psychological insight into the biggest voice of a generation," everyone else might just find the situation sad: Ceccaldi says that her son is an "evil, stupid little bastard" and adds that "this individual, who alas came from my womb, is a liar, an imposter, a parasite and above all - above all - a petit arriviste ready to do absolutely anything for money and fame." One senses that Houellebecq won't be sending any Teleflora bouquets or Hallmark cards her way this or any other year.