Despite international acclaim for addressing Algeria's civil war, the novel struggles for recognition in its native land, raising questions about freedom of expression.
Algerian Novel on Civil War Wins Prestigious Goncourt Award
Algerian Novel on Civil War Wins Prestigious Goncourt Award
Kamel Daoud's "Houris" highlights the impact of Algeria's dark decade, yet faces silent reception at home.
In a historic achievement, Kamel Daoud has become the first Algerian author to win France’s esteemed Goncourt literary prize with his novel “Houris,” a harrowing narrative centered around Algeria's brutal civil war of the 1990s. The book chronicles the impact of the decade-long conflict, which claimed an estimated 200,000 lives, largely attributed to violence between Islamic militants and the government forces.
The protagonist, a woman named Fajr (Dawn in Arabic), recounts her life after surviving a throat slashing at the hands of Islamist fighters. Unable to speak normally, she communicates through a speaking tube and shares her traumatic experience with the unborn child she carries. The Goncourt committee highlighted that Daoud's work “gives voice to the suffering of a dark period in Algeria,” particularly focusing on the plight of women during those troubled times. They acknowledged the novel's power in providing a contrasting narrative to historical accounts, reiterating the importance of literature in shaping memory.
Ironically, the reception of “Houris” in Algeria has been muted. The book lacks a local publisher, and the French publishing house Gallimard has been barred from participating in Algeria's national book fair. Furthermore, the Algerian media has yet to report on Daoud's significant achievement, leaving many unaware of the accolades bestowed upon him. The author, currently residing in Paris, faces legal risks under a 2005 law that prohibits discussing the civil war as a way of “instrumentalising the wounds of national tragedy,” which could further alienate his work from the Algerian audience.
Daoud, now 54, experienced the civil war firsthand as a journalist for Quotidien d’Oran. He recounted the grim task of documenting fatalities during the conflict, often witnessing how the official death tolls were manipulated. With an astute awareness of the official narrative surrounding the war, Daoud has consistently critiqued how Algerian history, particularly the independence war against France, is utilized for political purposes today.
He expressed a longing for the Algerian people to confront their historical complexities, rather than idolizing select aspects. In Daoud’s perspective, while the Islamist factions may have lost the war militarily, they gained a significant political victory, leading to continued challenges for women in Algerian society.
Previously, Daoud garnered attention for another acclaimed book, “Meursault Investigation,” which reinterpreted Albert Camus's “The Stranger” and was nominated for the Goncourt in 2015. Since relocating to France in 2020, Daoud has embraced his status as a writer in exile, expressing gratitude for the creative freedom he finds there. "To write you need three things: a table, a chair, and a country," he noted in reflections on his new life.
Within Algeria, Daoud’s legacy is mixed; while some view him as a courageous voice and a literary titan, others brand him a traitor for his critiques and his choice to live abroad. As he stated in a recent press conference, his move to France has provided a sanctuary for his voice, enabling him to bring forth stories heavy with personal and national pain—hoping these narratives inspire thought and discussion around the costs of freedom in Algeria.
The protagonist, a woman named Fajr (Dawn in Arabic), recounts her life after surviving a throat slashing at the hands of Islamist fighters. Unable to speak normally, she communicates through a speaking tube and shares her traumatic experience with the unborn child she carries. The Goncourt committee highlighted that Daoud's work “gives voice to the suffering of a dark period in Algeria,” particularly focusing on the plight of women during those troubled times. They acknowledged the novel's power in providing a contrasting narrative to historical accounts, reiterating the importance of literature in shaping memory.
Ironically, the reception of “Houris” in Algeria has been muted. The book lacks a local publisher, and the French publishing house Gallimard has been barred from participating in Algeria's national book fair. Furthermore, the Algerian media has yet to report on Daoud's significant achievement, leaving many unaware of the accolades bestowed upon him. The author, currently residing in Paris, faces legal risks under a 2005 law that prohibits discussing the civil war as a way of “instrumentalising the wounds of national tragedy,” which could further alienate his work from the Algerian audience.
Daoud, now 54, experienced the civil war firsthand as a journalist for Quotidien d’Oran. He recounted the grim task of documenting fatalities during the conflict, often witnessing how the official death tolls were manipulated. With an astute awareness of the official narrative surrounding the war, Daoud has consistently critiqued how Algerian history, particularly the independence war against France, is utilized for political purposes today.
He expressed a longing for the Algerian people to confront their historical complexities, rather than idolizing select aspects. In Daoud’s perspective, while the Islamist factions may have lost the war militarily, they gained a significant political victory, leading to continued challenges for women in Algerian society.
Previously, Daoud garnered attention for another acclaimed book, “Meursault Investigation,” which reinterpreted Albert Camus's “The Stranger” and was nominated for the Goncourt in 2015. Since relocating to France in 2020, Daoud has embraced his status as a writer in exile, expressing gratitude for the creative freedom he finds there. "To write you need three things: a table, a chair, and a country," he noted in reflections on his new life.
Within Algeria, Daoud’s legacy is mixed; while some view him as a courageous voice and a literary titan, others brand him a traitor for his critiques and his choice to live abroad. As he stated in a recent press conference, his move to France has provided a sanctuary for his voice, enabling him to bring forth stories heavy with personal and national pain—hoping these narratives inspire thought and discussion around the costs of freedom in Algeria.
