On November 4, the Goncourt Prize 2024 winner was announced, highlighting a competitive field that included Hélène Gaudi and Kamel Daoud’s controversial book, **Houris**. This narrative follows Fajr, a deaf Algerian woman navigating her traumatic past amid the civil war. Despite its acclaim, **Houris** has faced a ban in Algeria. Complicating matters, Daoud faces plagiarism allegations from Saâda Arbane, who claims the book mirrors her personal experiences.
Announcement of the Goncourt Prize Winner
On November 4, the highly anticipated winner of the Goncourt Prize 2024 was revealed, showcasing a thrilling competition among four finalists. Among these contenders was Hélène Gaudi, whose book was viewed as an underdog. Despite being an unknown author, her work faced considerable criticism on Babelio. The lineup also included **Madeleine Avant l’aube** by Sandrine Collette, **Jacaranda** by Gaël Faye, and **Houris** by Kamel Daoud.
Of these, Kamel Daoud’s **Houris** stood out, being previously recognized as a frontrunner alongside Gaël Faye, who has also garnered prestigious literary accolades. **Houris** has claimed additional honors such as the **Landerneau Prize** and the **Transfuge Literary Prize in the novel category**, which, although significant, do not compare to the esteemed Goncourt Prize. Notably, the narrative of this book, which centers on a fictional Algerian woman’s life, has faced a ban in Algeria.
A Poignant Narrative Sparking Controversy
**Houris** unfolds the compelling story of Fajr, a young deaf woman from Algeria, who bears deep emotional and physical scars. As she navigates her pregnancy, believing she will have a daughter, she grapples with the decision of whether to **keep the baby**. Set against the backdrop of the 1990s civil war in Algeria, Fajr’s journey is one of seeking closure about her tumultuous past. This heart-wrenching narrative resonates deeply with readers, contributing to its acclaim and recognition.
However, the book has become a point of contention, particularly in Algeria, where it has been banned due to its sensitive portrayal of the civil war, often referred to as the **black decade**. This dark period spanned from late 1991 to 2002, resulting in nearly 200,000 deaths, 20,000 disappearances, and 1.5 million displaced individuals, with damages estimated at around 20 billion dollars. Such a recent and traumatic history remains largely untouched in literature, but it is a theme that resonates strongly in Daoud’s work.
Controversy Over Allegations of Plagiarism
While the accolades were rolling in for Kamel Daoud, a troubling plagiarism allegation emerged, casting a shadow over his triumph. Several Algerian media outlets reported that a woman named Saâda Arbane has accused Daoud and his wife of appropriating her personal narrative for **Houris**. Arbane’s claims highlight striking similarities between her life experiences and those of the book’s protagonist.
Saâda Arbane contends that the book mirrors crucial aspects of her life, such as her neck scar, the aftermath of a traumatic attack, her struggle with trauma from a family massacre, and her healthcare journey in France. Moreover, she details her relationship with her mother and the challenges she faced post-civil war, as noted by mondafrique. Arbane alleges that she previously crossed paths with Daoud’s wife, a psychiatrist, which adds another layer of complexity to this unfolding story. Stay tuned for further developments…