Pursuits in Algiers

Peter Rozovsky of the Detectives Beyond Borders blog points me to an interview with Algerian soldier-turned-fictionist Yasmina Kahdra (né Mohammed Moulessehoul), who has so far produced (at least in English translation) two books featuring an Algiers detective-writer, Superintendent Llob, and his devoted lieutenant, Lino: Morituri (2004) and Double Blank (2005). Kahdra has also penned a variety of standalones, including the forthcoming The Sirens of Baghdad.

Over the course of the interview, Kahdra talks about his fondness for books by Chester Himes and Richard Wright, his writing about terrorism and Algerian corruption, his relocation to France, and of course the inspiration for Superintendent Llob:

I created Superintendent Llob as a diversion for the Algerian reader. I have already told you, in Algeria, we did not have a large selection in our bookshops there, and the publications revolved around the political demagogy, nationalist chauvinism and the romantic mediocrity praising the Algerian Revolution in Stalinist speeches. I dreamed of writing station books, books funny and without claim that you could read while waiting for the train or the bus, or while gilding yourself with the sun at the seaside. I dreamed to reconcile the Algerian reader with his literature. I had never thought that Superintendent Llob was going to exceed the borders of the country and appeal to readers in Europe, and America.

I must confess, I haven’t read Kahdra, whose novel The Swallows of Kabul was shortlisted for the 2006 International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award. But that will have to change soon.

Again, the interview can be found here.