The awarding of the Goncourt Prize, France's most prestigious literary reward, to Kamel Daoud, an Algerian writer, is a political event and highlights the enforced silence in Algeria regarding the 'black decade' (1992-2002)
The awarded book, Houris, centers on an Algerian woman who is silenced by an attempted assassination and fights the imposed silence by the regime regarding the atrocities occurred during its civil war
Kamel Daoud, who has been critical of Islamism and faced threats because of it, embodies the dichotomy in the French debate - hailed by the right and seen as a traitor by the left.
Conclusion: Beyond the writer, the award attribution brings up questions about identity and the individual's right to choose ideas and battles, regardless of origin and biases.