Algerian attack survivor vows to be heard in court battle with award-winning author

Saada Arbane, a 31-year-old woman who lost her voice during the Algerian civil war, is suing author Kamel Daoud for allegedly plagiarizing her life in his novel “Houris,” which features a character whose throat is slit by an Islamist. Arbane claims the book closely mirrors her personal experiences shared in therapy sessions with Daoud’s wife, Aicha Dahdouh, leading to feelings of betrayal and violation of her privacy. Daoud denies the allegations, asserting the story is based on public knowledge, while Arbane seeks to defend her integrity and highlight the importance of respecting personal narratives.