In a striking development, Kamel Daoud, the Algerian author who recently received France's prestigious Goncourt prize for his novel ‘Houris’, finds himself embroiled in controversy. Saada Arbane, a survivor of the 1990s Algerian civil war, has accused Daoud of basing the book's heroine, Fajr, on her harrowing life experiences, without her consent.
Arbane, who endured a savage Islamist militant attack that resulted in the death of most of her family, claims specific details from her life—including her use of a speaking tube and her relationship dynamics—were directly lifted from her conversations with Aicha Dahdouh, Daoud's psychiatrist wife. She asserts that, despite initially agreeing to meet Daoud under the guise of literary collaboration, she vehemently refused his proposal to use her story and insisted there was “no right” for him to exploit her past.
In response to these accusations, two lawsuits have been filed against Daoud and his wife, invoking medical confidentiality laws and a controversial “reconciliation” law that restricts public discourse surrounding the national tragedy of the civil war. This law has led to the prohibition of Daoud's book in Algeria, and his French publisher, Gallimard, faced a similar ban from participating in the Algiers Book Fair.
Daoud, who relocated to Paris in 2020 and adopted French nationality, is a polarizing figure in Algeria, where he is often criticized for perceived affiliations with France. Amidst increasing tension between Algeria and France, the legal fallout not only raises questions about intellectual property but also intertwines with national sentiments and criticism of colonial legacies.
In the backdrop of this legal battle, Daoud's complete silence has been notable, even as his publisher defended his work—insisting that while inspired by real events, the narrative is purely fictional. The situation has sparked fear within the literary community, especially considering reports that fellow Algerian writer Boualel Sansal has gone missing, amplifying concerns over artistic expression and personal safety in Algeria.
As the lawsuits unfold, they serve as a poignant reminder of the complex interplay between history, literature, and the rights of individuals to own their stories and experiences.
