Michel Houellebecq is a controversial author, not only because some critics have doubts concerning the literariness of his work, which was a huge commercial success, but also because his novels, often provocative, generate among readers contrasting reactions, ranging from radical rejection, accompanied by a questioning of the moral value of the text, to strong adhesion, generally based on the recognition of the lucidity of the author and his ability to represent the world as it is, with ferocity, without complacency, but also with courage and a certain humor. At the heart of these judgments that engage essential values in literature, there is the fundamental question of polyphony of literary works. Based on an analysis of excerpts of Atomised, textual and contextual factors that may influence the interpretation of the text (including the perception of the “voice” of the author) will be singled out, nevertheless providing a space open to an interpretive pluralism. I shall focus particularly on how the novel presents racist, homophobic and anti-feminist views, likely to produce violent reactions from the public, while engaging in various degrees the moral responsibility of the writer. This analysis will also seek, in the preamble, to reflect on the ethical status of fictional statements.