Algerian Author Kamel Daoud Faces Legal Accusations for Allegedly Plagiarizing Account of a "Black Decade" Survivor's Ordeal
Title: Acontentious Literary Saga: Saâda Arbane Accuses Kamel Daoud of Using Her Story in Houris
In a surprising turn of events, 31-year-old Oranaise, Saâda Arbane, finds herself at the heart of a literary controversy. A survivor of the Algerian civil war, she claims to be unwittingly portrayed as the protagonist, Aube, in Kamel Daoud's novel, Houris. Published by Gallimard in the summer of 2024, this thought-provoking novel won the prestigious Goncourt Prize in November.
Recounting the events to Le Monde via a videoconference interview, Saâda shares that she refused three times when Daoud and his wife asked for her permission to use her story. Feeling "betrayed", she has launched legal proceedings, one in Algeria for "violation of medical secrecy" and another in France for "invasion of privacy."
Legal experts William Bourdon and Lily Ravon support Saâda in her pursuit, as reported by Mediapart, a French investigative news website. The case could lead to a civil trial before the 17th chamber of the Paris Tribunal Judiciaire in a few months.
Daoud, who crafts a novel that goes beyond the controversial story and also reflects on his country's recent past, denies any invasion of Saâda's privacy. In the face of this contentious dispute, the literary landscape is abuzz with debate over privacy, consent, and the boundaries between fact and fiction.
In the legal arena, the accusations against Daoud are substantial. Arbane alleges that Daoud revealed her personal and medical history in Houris without her consent, a claim that has led to a lawsuit in Algeria. This lawsuit, with Arbane accusing Daoud of privacy invasion and potential disclosure of medical secrets, is currently ongoing.
In today's digital age, where personal stories often transgress the boundaries of privacy, this case serves as a stark reminder of the fine line between artistic creativity and individual rights. As the legal process unfolds, the literary world and the public will eagerly await the verdict, shedding light on the ethics of storytelling.
- Despite having refused permission three times, Kamel Daoud, an Algerian author, unwittingly used the story of Saâda Arbane, a survivor of the Algerian civil war, in his novel Houris, published by Gallimard in 2024.
- General-news outlets reported that Saâda Arbane has proceeded with legal actions in both Algeria and France, alleging "violation of medical secrecy" and "invasion of privacy" against Daoud.
- On the other hand, Daoud denies any invasion of Saâda's privacy and continues to maintain that his novel goes beyond the controversial story and reflects on Algeria's recent past.
- As the legal proceedings unfold, this contentious dispute between Saâda and Daoud highlights the delicate balance between artistic creativity and individual rights, particularly in the context of personal stories transgressing privacy boundaries in today's digital age.
