Algerian author Kamel Daoud has made history by winning France's top literary award, the Goncourt, for his novel "Houris," which provides a haunting narrative of Algeria's civil war during the 1990s—an era that resulted in approximately 200,000 deaths from violence attributed to Islamists and the military. The novel's protagonist, Fajr, embodies the war's horrors; having survived a brutal attack, she communicates with a speaking tube, recounting her story to the baby she carries.
The Goncourt committee commended Daoud's work for its ability to voice the anguish of a traumatic historical period, particularly from a female perspective. However, the irony of his success lies in the limited reach of his book in Algeria itself, as it lacks a local publisher. The French publisher Gallimard was notably barred from the Algiers Book Fair, and Daoud's accomplishment has remained largely unacknowledged in Algerian media.
The precarious political landscape poses additional dangers for Daoud. He risks criminal charges under a 2005 law that punishes those who "instrumentalise the wounds of the national tragedy." Daoud has expressed concern over the lack of civil war education in Algerian schools, noting how the traumatic events of that period remain largely unaddressed.
With a background as a journalist during the civil war, Daoud personally witnessed the grim realities of corpses and censorship. His critical stance on the manipulation of historical narratives, particularly regarding women's rights in Algeria, has made him a polarizing figure in his homeland.
Having relocated to France in 2020, Daoud credits the country with granting him the freedom to write. He articulates the importance of written expression and the necessity of having a safe environment to do so. Despite the mixed reception of his work in Algeria—where he is both vilified and lauded—Daoud continues to advocate for a more honest reckoning with the nation's complex history, particularly as it pertains to women's liberation and the true cost of freedom.
