Sued Over Literary Inspiration: Algerian Author Faces Controversy

Kamel Daoud, winner of the prestigious Goncourt Prize, is facing legal action in Algeria after survivor Saada Arbane claimed the main character of his novel, "Houris," was based on her traumatic experiences, raising questions about literary ethics and national sensitivities.

Kamel Daoud, the recent recipient of France's esteemed Goncourt Prize for his novel "Houris," has found himself embroiled in a lawsuit in Algeria. This legal battle stems from allegations made by Saada Arbane, who asserts that the main character in Daoud's book, Fajr, is inspired by her own life story as a victim of an Islamist attack during Algeria's brutal 1990s civil war.

The Goncourt Prize-winning novel recounts the harrowing experiences of this tumultuous period, in which approximately 200,000 people lost their lives, but Arbane contends that the character's pierces too close to her real-life trauma. As a child, Saada Arbane endured a throat slashing during the massacre that decimated her family, leaving her to communicate through a speaking tube. She alleges that many elements of Fajr's character—her speaking tube, injuries, and personal circumstances—are directly drawn from her conversations with Daoud’s wife, Aicha Dahdouh, while she was undergoing therapy between 2015 and 2018.

Arbane agreed to meet Daoud in 2020 but claims she withdrew when he suggested he could use her story for his novel. "It's my life. It's my past. He had no right to chuck me out like that," Arbane expressed during her televised remarks.

Two separate lawsuits have been filed against Daoud and Dahdouh in Algeria. One references medical confidentiality laws, while the other invokes a post-civil war law that criminalizes the misuse of national tragedy narratives. As a consequence, "Houris" has been banned within Algeria, creating a notable disconnect between artistic merit perceived in France and the political sensitivities at home. Daoud, who acquired French citizenship in 2020, has become a polarizing figure in Algeria, often accused of compromising his cultural identity by embracing Western accolades.

Daoud has yet to publicly comment on the allegations, which have been viewed by some as part of an orchestrated campaign against him by pro-government media. His publisher, Antoine Gallimard, defended the author, claiming that while the narrative was influenced by real events, the characters and storyline are entirely fictional.

Amidst this controversy over literary appropriation, tensions between Algeria and France continue to escalate, especially following President Macron's acknowledgment of Morocco's sovereignty claims. As these developments unfold, they coincide with grave concern for fellow Algerian writer Boualel Sansal, who has recently disappeared under mysterious circumstances in Algeria after returning from France, prompting anxiety over the repressive state of freedom of expression in the country.