Kamel Daoud has made history as the first Algerian author to win France's prestigious Goncourt literary award for his novel "Houris,” which poignantly explores the harrowing legacy of Algeria's civil war during the 1990s. The narrative revolves around the character Fajr—a survivor of a brutal attack by Islamist militants—who narrates her traumatic experiences to her unborn child, illustrating the immense suffering endured by women during this chaotic era.
In awarding the prize, the Goncourt committee emphasized the novel's significance in shedding light on a historically dark period for Algeria, stating it "gives voice to the suffering" while also advocating for the power of literature to reshape societal memory. Ironically, though, the book lacks an Algerian publisher—consequently, its impact on local audiences is doubtful, as Daoud’s Goncourt win remains largely unreported in Algerian media.
Daoud, who now resides in Paris, faces potential legal repercussions under a 2005 law prohibiting discussions that "instrumentalize the wounds of the national tragedy." According to Daoud, this law has effectively rendered the civil war taboo, resulting in a generational disconnect; his own daughter found it hard to believe the war's atrocities, as they are rarely discussed in schools.
Having worked as a journalist during the civil war, Daoud provides a haunting account of the horrors he encountered while counting the casualties, revealing the manipulation of figures by governmental authorities seeking to control the narrative. He recalls, “You develop a routine—come back, write your piece, then get drunk.”
Despite being viewed as a traitor by some factions in Algeria, Daoud's literary brilliance is celebrated by others. He controversially critiques the ruling authorities' manipulation of history and women's rights in Algeria, proclaiming that while Islamists may have lost the battle militarily, they have triumphed politically.
With aspirations that his work promotes a conversation around Algeria’s multifaceted history and the quest for women's freedoms, Daoud’s poignant voice aims to provoke thought on the true cost of liberation. He has positioned "Houris" not just as a novel but as a conduit for understanding the depths of Algeria’s past, saying that it took his journey to France—a place where he feels unshackled—that allowed him to pen his powerful narrative, emphasizing the importance of freedom in the act of writing.
In awarding the prize, the Goncourt committee emphasized the novel's significance in shedding light on a historically dark period for Algeria, stating it "gives voice to the suffering" while also advocating for the power of literature to reshape societal memory. Ironically, though, the book lacks an Algerian publisher—consequently, its impact on local audiences is doubtful, as Daoud’s Goncourt win remains largely unreported in Algerian media.
Daoud, who now resides in Paris, faces potential legal repercussions under a 2005 law prohibiting discussions that "instrumentalize the wounds of the national tragedy." According to Daoud, this law has effectively rendered the civil war taboo, resulting in a generational disconnect; his own daughter found it hard to believe the war's atrocities, as they are rarely discussed in schools.
Having worked as a journalist during the civil war, Daoud provides a haunting account of the horrors he encountered while counting the casualties, revealing the manipulation of figures by governmental authorities seeking to control the narrative. He recalls, “You develop a routine—come back, write your piece, then get drunk.”
Despite being viewed as a traitor by some factions in Algeria, Daoud's literary brilliance is celebrated by others. He controversially critiques the ruling authorities' manipulation of history and women's rights in Algeria, proclaiming that while Islamists may have lost the battle militarily, they have triumphed politically.
With aspirations that his work promotes a conversation around Algeria’s multifaceted history and the quest for women's freedoms, Daoud’s poignant voice aims to provoke thought on the true cost of liberation. He has positioned "Houris" not just as a novel but as a conduit for understanding the depths of Algeria’s past, saying that it took his journey to France—a place where he feels unshackled—that allowed him to pen his powerful narrative, emphasizing the importance of freedom in the act of writing.
