SOLVED!: short novel translated from French

[Amy]

I vaguely remember reading this book (my memory is really bad) but I do remember that I was very impressed. I don't know how to pronounce French very well so I didn't bother trying to learn how to say the author's name, but it was something that looked baffling.

The novel had a person going across the English Channel to a crowded party in aLondon flat, a character talking about the design flaws of the human bodies with a reference to "stink factories," and a meeting of advertising people talking about the potential universal appeal of a picture of a fetus masturbating. Thanks to anyone who can help!

Amy

[Conrad]

Could be wrong, but that sounds like something Michel Houellebecq (pronounced Wellbeck) would have written.

[Amy]

Yes!! Thankyouthankyouthankyou!!!!! This has been giving me a headache for years.