Kamel Daoud, a Franco-Algerian novelist, has recently won the Goncourt award for his novel *Houris*, a tale of resilience centered on Aube, a young woman coping with her family’s past trauma. After gaining recognition for *Meursault, contre-enquête*, Daoud faced backlash for his critiques of religion and gender dynamics in the Arab world. His outspoken views have led to threats and complicating factors for his works in Algeria, particularly regarding *Houris*, which delves into the country’s violent history.
Kamel Daoud’s Remarkable Journey to Literary Acclaim
A decade after receiving the Goncourt for his debut novel, Kamel Daoud has recently been honored with the prestigious Goncourt award for his latest work, *Houris*, published by Gallimard. This profound and politically charged narrative gives voice to Aube, a young woman grappling with the trauma of her family’s massacre at the hands of Islamists two decades prior, leaving her disfigured and mute. As Aube shares her story with her unborn daughter, Daoud paints a vivid picture of resilience and loss, showcasing the complexities of human experience.
Daoud, a 54-year-old Franco-Algerian novelist, often reflects on the societal progress of a nation through the lens of women’s rights. Growing up in Mostaganem, a quaint coastal town, he was inspired by literature from a young age. As the eldest of six, he was the only member of his family to pursue higher education, initially earning a scientific baccalaureate before delving into French literature and journalism. His career took off as he reported on pressing issues for the Algerian edition of *Détective* and later served as the editor-in-chief of *Quotidien d’Oran*.
Challenges Faced During His Career
Daoud’s journalistic endeavors during the Bouteflika era earned him a reputation for fearless integrity, as he boldly addressed the rampant corruption, religious hypocrisy, and systemic violence plaguing Algerian society. His activism reached a critical point in February 2011 when he was briefly detained for participating in a demonstration during the Arab Spring.
Transitioning to novel writing in the early 2000s, Daoud captured international attention in 2014 with *Meursault, contre-enquête*, a thought-provoking reinterpretation of Albert Camus’ classic *L’Étranger*, told from the perspective of the brother of the character killed by Meursault. This breakthrough allowed him to voice his perspectives on the transformation of Algerian society.
However, his outspoken views on religion sparked controversy. During an appearance on Laurent Ruquier’s *On n’est pas couché*, he emphasized the necessity of addressing the religious dilemma in the Arab world for progress. Following these comments, he faced threats from Salafist Islamist Abdelfattah Hamadache Zeraoui, who called for his execution on social media. While the imam was convicted for issuing death threats, the case was later dismissed on appeal.
As a naturalized French citizen, Daoud ceased his journalistic work in 2016 after critiquing the dynamics of gender relations in the Arab-Muslim world in *Le Monde*. Despite facing accusations of perpetuating stereotypes, he stood firm, affirming his right to express his views.
In his homeland, Daoud’s outspoken nature and exile have not been well-received. Just weeks ago, Gallimard was requested to refrain from attending the Algiers Book Fair on November 6. His novel, *Houris*, presents a poignant exploration of Algeria’s violent past, yet the country’s laws prohibit any literary mention of these events, complicating its publication and distribution. The impact of his Goncourt win on this situation remains uncertain.