French-Algerian author Kamel Daoud was awarded France’s highest literary honor, the Goncourt Prize, on Monday for his novel “Houris.” The book delves into Algeria’s brutal civil war in the 1990s, a conflict between the government and Islamist insurgents.
The Goncourt jury needed just one round of voting to select Daoud’s “Houris,” which reflects on Algeria’s “black decade.” Written in French, the novel is banned in Algeria but has gained widespread attention elsewhere.
Daoud is no stranger to literary success. His 2013 novel, “The Meursault Investigation,” reinterpreted Albert Camus’ classic “The Stranger” and also earned him recognition, including the Goncourt’s First Novel prize.
Known for his sharp commentary on the Arab world, Daoud has often provoked controversy. In 2016, he wrote a provocative piece in the New York Times titled “The Sexual Misery of the Arab World,” in which he critiqued societal attitudes toward women.
“Houris” tells the tragic story of a young woman who loses her voice after witnessing the slaughter of her family during the civil war. Her throat is cut by an Islamist fighter, but she communicates her trauma to her unborn child through an internal monologue.
Daoud’s novel challenges Algeria’s refusal to confront the atrocities of the war, which killed tens of thousands. His move to France, where he now resides, allowed him the freedom to write the book.
Goncourt Academy president Philippe Claudel praised “Houris” for its lyrical intensity and tragic depth. The novel, he said, gives voice to those who suffered during Algeria’s dark period, especially women.
Despite the modest 10-euro prize, the Goncourt win is expected to dramatically boost sales of Daoud’s work, cementing his place in modern literary history.
