&gt;<i>(Lovecraft is considered a major literary figure in France, hence the interest among academics.)</i><p>Lovecraft is not really considered &quot;a major literary figure in France&quot; and Houellebecq is not an academic (except in the sense that he studied at a university like half of French, but he&#x27;s not working in academia or anything like that).<p>Perhaps you meant Houellebecq? He indeed is considered a &quot;major literary figure&quot; (if somewhat controversial).