Kamel Daoud Wins 2024 Goncourt Prize for *Houris*, Reflects on Language and Silence

Kamel Daoud was awarded the 2024 Goncourt Prize for his novel Houris, which explores the civil war in Algeria, specifically the traumatic events of the 1990s. The award was presented on November 4 at the Drouant restaurant in Paris amidst heightened security due to the author's controversial status in Algeria, where his works are banned. Daoud describes his relationship with the French language as 'intimate' and 'secret,' a choice influenced by his upbringing and the lack of resources in his early life. His novel tells the story of Aube, a character who becomes mute after a traumatic event during the Had Chekala massacre, and aims to narrate her experiences and those of her country. Daoud reflects on the silences of his upbringing, emphasizing that understanding these silences is a crucial part of communication. He also critiques the perception of Arabic in the Arab world, asserting that various dialects are more commonly spoken than classical Arabic.