Literature: Kamel Daoud wins 2024 Prix Goncourt for

Algerian author and former journalist Kamel Daoud has won the prestigious 2024 Prix Goncourt for his novel Houris, a fictional exploration of Algeria’s tumultuous « Black Decade » from 1992 to 2002.

As one of the frontrunners for this top literary honor, Daoud’s win is a victory for both the writer and his publishing house, Editions Gallimard, despite Houris being banned in Algeria.

Furthermore, Editions Gallimard faces restrictions, including a ban from participating in the Algiers International Book Fair.

The Prix Goncourt, awarded by a panel of distinguished French literary figures, comes with a symbolic prize of €10.

However, the true reward lies in the prestige and widespread visibility it brings, often catapulting book sales to new heights.

Winning this award positions Daoud as a leading voice in contemporary literature, while bringing renewed attention to Algeria’s complex past through his narrative lens.

Notably, another leading candidate for the Goncourt, author Gaël Faye, received the Prix Renaudot on the same day for Jacaranda, marking a triumphant return eight years after his acclaimed novel Petit Pays.

Both wins underscore a remarkable day in the world of French literature, celebrating authors who explore cultural identity, memory, and resilience.

Daoud’s Houris stands as a powerful testament to Algeria’s history, solidifying his place among the most influential Francophone authors today.