Algerian writer Kamel Daoud receives Goncourt Debut Novel Prize

Algerian writer and journalist Kamel Daoud on Tuesday won the "Goncourt Debut Novel Prize" for his book "Meursault, contre-enquête" (Meursault, Counter-Investigation), announced his Algerian publisher Sofiane Hadjadj, who was present in Paris for the announcement of the winner.

The jury of the Goncourt Academy has unanimously named Kamel Daoud’s Novel for this Prize which was awarded to Algerian author by French writer and philosopher Régis Debray, said Hadjadj.

Finalist in 2014 Goncourt Prize with the same novel, Kamel Daoud competed with authors Kiko Herrero ("Sauve qui peut Madrid!"), Miguel Bonnefoy ("The journey of Octavio Payot") and Jean-Noel Orengo ("the Flower of the Capital "), all published in France.

Published first in Algeria in 2013 (Barzakh), "Meursault, counter-investigation," tells the story of the assassination committed by the controversial character of Albert Camus’s "The Stranger", delivering an Algerian version of the by the brother of the “Arab" murdered.

The writer also received, for this novel, François Mauriac Prize of the French Academy and the Prize of Five Continents, awarded by the International Organization of Francophonie, besides the "Escale littéraire (literary Stop)" Award in Algiers, awarded by Algerian and French writers and journalists.

He was also awarded the award “Goncourt list/Choice of the Orient", at the 21st Beirut Francophone Book Fair (Lebanon).

The English translation of this novel which addresses the situation of contemporary Algeria will be published next month in June in the United States by New York publisher "Other Press."