Algerian lit in EN

A guide to

Algerian literature in English

1956-2021

Since 1956, around 110 novels, short stories, memoirs, poetry collections, plays, and epistolary correspondence, written by Algerian writers have appeared in English translation or were written directly in the English language. The below is a list of 110 titles, organised chronogically from 1956 to 2021.

Note: a slide show of this list, together with the breakdown of authors and translators can be viewed below and downloaded.

1. 1956 – The Sleep of the Just by Mouloud Mammeri, transl from the French by Len Ortzen (Cresset eds) [Novel, FR/EN, originally published in 1955]

2. 1958 – The Mischief by Assia Djebar, transl from the French by Frances Frenaye (Simon & Schuster) [Novel, FR/EN, originally published in 1957]

3. 1985 – Who Remembers the Sea by Mohammed Dib, transl from the French by Louis Tremaine (Passeggiata Press) [Novel, FR/EN, originally published in 1962]

4. 1986 – The Colonial Harem by Malek Alloula, transl from the French by Myrna Godzich and Wlad Godzich (Univ Of Minnesota Press) [FR/EN, originally published in 1981]

5. 1987 – Desperate Spring: Lives of Algerian Women by Fettouma Touati, transl from the French by Ros Schwartz (The Women’s Press) [FR/EN, originally published in 1984]

6. 1988 – My Life Story – The Autobiography of a Berber Woman by Fadhma Amrouche, transl from the French by Dorothy Blair (Women’s Press) [FR/EN, originally published in 1968, posthumously]

7. 1989 – Tea in the Harem by Mehdi Charef, transl from the French by Ed Emery (Serpent’s Tail) [FR/EN, originally published in 1983]. Turned into a movie released in 1985.

8. 1989 – Fantasia, an Algerian Cavalcade by Assia Djebar, transl from the French by DS Blair (Quartet Books) [FR/EN, originally published in 1985]

9. 1991 – Nejma by Katib Yacine, translates from the French by Richard Howard (University of Virginia Press) [FR/EN, , originally published in 1956]

10. 1992 – The Honor of the Tribe by Rachid Mimouni, transl from the French by Joachim Neugroschel (Quartet books) [FR/EN, originally published in 1989]

11. 1992 - Women of Algiers in Their Apartment by Assia Djebar, transl by Marjolijn de Jager and Clarisse Zimra (CARAF) [FR/EN, originally published in 1980]]
12. 1992 - Beneath a Sky of Porphyry Paperback by Aicha Lemsine, transl by Dorothy S. Blair (Quartet Books in the UK / published by Interlink in 1998 in the US)

13. 1993 – A Sister to Scheherazade by Assia Djebar, transl from the French by Bente Christensen (Heinemann) [FR/EN, originally published in 1987]

14. 1993 – The Ogre’s Embrace by Rachid Mimouni, transl from the French by Shirley Eber (Quartet Books) [FR/EN, originally published in 1990]

15. 1993 – The Chrysalis by Aicha Lemsine, transl from the French by Dorothy S. Blair (Quartet Books) [FR/EN, originally published in 1976]

16. 1994 – The Repudiation by Rashid Boudjedra, transl from the French by Golda Lambrova (Three Continents Press) [FR/EN, originally published in 1969]

17. 1995 – Forbidden Vision by Nina Bouraoui, transl from the French by Melissa Marcus (Station Hill Press) [FR/EN, originally published in 1991]

18. 1997 – Birth of a Writer by Zhour Ounissi, transl from the Arabic by Shirley Eber and Fadia Faqir, in: In the House of Silence: Autobiographical Essays by Arab Women Writers (Garnet) [AR/EN, essay written for the book]

19. 1998 – The Forbidden Woman by Malika Mokeddem, transl from the French by Karen Melissa Marcus (University of Nebraska Press) [FR/EN, , originally published in 1993]

20. 1999 – So Vast the Prison by Assia Djebar, transl from the French by Betsy Wing (Seven stories Press) [FR/EN, originally published in 1995]

21. 2000 – The Earthquake by Tahar Wattar, transl from the Arabic by William Granara (SAQI books) [FR/EN, originally published in 1974]

22. 2000 – Of Dreams and Assassins by Malika Mokeddem, transl from the French by Karen Melissa (CARAF eds) [FR/EN, originally published in 1995]

23. 2000 – The Abductor by Leila Marouane, transl from the French by Felicity McNab (Quartet eds) [FR/EN, originally published in 1998]

24. 2000 – In the Name of God by Yasmina Khadra, transl from the French by Linda Black (Toby Press) [FR/EN, originally published in 1998]

25. 2000 – Journal 1955-1962 by Mouloud Feraoun, transl from the French by Mary Ellen Wolf and Claude Fouillade (CARAF eds) [FR/EN, originally published in 1962]

26. 2000 – Banipal 7 – Special issue on Algerian Literature, with excepts from several texts originally in French and Arabic

27. 2001 – The Savage Night by Mohammed Dib, transl from the French C. Dickson (University of Nebraska press) [FR/EN, originally published in 1995]

28. 2001 – The Lovers of Algeria by Anouar Benmalek, transl from the French by Joanna Kilmartin (Harvill Press) [FR/EN, originally published in 1998]

29. 2001 – Algerian White by Assia Djebar, transl from the French by David Kelley (Seven Stories Press) [FR/EN, originally published in 1996]

30. 2007 – The Sexual Life of an Islamist in Paris by Leila Marouane, transl from the French by Alison Anderson (Europa eds) [FR/EN, originally published in 2010]

31. 2002 – The Watchers by Tahar Djaout, transl from the French by Marjolijn de Jager (Ruminator Books) [FR/EN, originally published in 1991]

32. 2003 – The Selected Plays of Hélène Cixous, edited by Eric Prenowitz, transl from the French by Brian J. Mallet, Ann Liddle, Donald Watson, Bernadette Fort, and Judith G. Miller (Routledge) [FR/EN]

33. 2003 – The Child of an Ancient People by Anouar Benmalek, transl from the French by Andrew Riemer (Harvill Books) [FR/EN, originally published in 2000]

34. 2004 – L.A. Trip by Mohammed Dib, transl from the French by Paul Vangelisti (Green Integrer) [FR/EN, originally published in 2003]
35. 2004 - Wail of the Arab Beggards of the Casbah by Ismael Ait Djafer, transl by Jack Hirschman (NU press) [poetry, see an excerpt here. Ismael Ait Djafer was 22 years old when he wrote this poem in 40s, after the conviction of a father who killed his daughter because he could no longer feed her and was convicted captured the attention of Algerians. the poem was published in 1951, and reedited several times, notably in 1987 with a preface by Kateb Yacine] [FR/EN]

36. 2004 – Morituri by Yasmina Khadra, transl from the French by David Herman (Toby Press) [FR/EN, originally published in 1997]

37. 2004 – Wolf Dreams by Yasmina Khadra, transl from the French Linda Black (Toby Press) [FR/EN, originally published in 1999]

38. 2005 – Double Blank by Yasmina Khadra, transl from the French by Aubrey Botsford (Toby Crime) [FR/EN, originally published in 1998]

39. 2005 – The Poor Man’s Son by Mouloud Feraoun, transl from the French by Lucy R. McNair (CARAF) [FR/EN, originally published in 1950]

40. 2005 – Swallows of Kabul by Yasmina Khadra, transl from the French by John Cullen (Anchor eds) [FR/EN, originally published in 2002]

41. 2005 – The Star of Algiers by Aziz Chouaki, transl from the French by Ros Schwartz and Lulu Norman (Grayworld Press) [FR/EN, originally published in 1998]
42. 2005 - Homecoming by Fadila al-Faruq, translated by Dalya Cohen-Mor, in the anthology Arab Women Writers: An Anthology of Short Stories
43. 2005 - The Woman of My Dreams by Fadila al-Faruq, translated by Dalya Cohen-Mor, in the anthology Arab Women Writers: An Anthology of Short Stories
44. 2005. The Dreadful Sea by Zhur Ounissi, translated by Dalya Cohen-Mor, in the anthology Arab Women Writers: An Anthology of Short Stories

45. 2006 – The Day I Wasn’t There by Hélène Cixous, transl from the French by Beverley Bie Brahic (Northwestern University Press) [FR/EN, originally published in 2000]

46. 2006 – The Tongue’s Blood Does Not Run Dry: Algerian Stories by Assia Djebar, transl from the French by Tegan Raleigh (Seven Stories Press) [FR/EN, originally published in 1997]

47. 2006 – Children of the New World by Assia Djebar, transl from the French by Marjolijn de Jager (The Feminist Press) [FR/EN, originally published in 1962]

48. 2006 – Century of Locusts by Malika Mokeddem, transl from the French by Laura Rice (University of Nebraska Press, part of their European Women Writers series) [FR/EN, originally published in 1992]

49. 2006 – Autumn of the Phantoms by Yasmina Khadra, transl from the French by Aubrey Botsford (Toby Press) [FR/EN, originally published in 1998]
50. 2006 - La gorge tranchée du soleil by Hafid Gafaiti, self-translated (bilingual FR/EN edition), Editions L'Harmattan [poetry collection]

51. 2007 – The Last Summer of Reason by Tahar Djaout, transl from the French by Marjolin de Jagar (Ruminator Press) [FR/EN, originally published in 1999]

52. 2007 – Tomboy by Nina Bouraoui, transl from the French by Jehanne-Marie Gavarini and Marjorie Attignol Salvodon (Bison books) [FR/EN, originally published in 2000]

53. 2007 – Voluble Nights (poetry) by Ahcene Mariche, transl by Dalila Ait Salem (self published) [Kabyle/EN, originally published in ?]

54. 2008 – Banquet of Lies by Amin Zaoui, transl from the French by Frank Wynne (Marion Boyars eds) [FR/EN, originally published in 2007]

55. 2008 – Clash of Civilizations over an Elevator in Piazza Vittorio by Amara Lakhous, transl from the Italian by Ann Goldstein (Europa eds). This novel was originally written in Arabic by Lakhous and later reworked by him in Italian. [FR/EN, originally published in 2006]

56. 2008 – The Seine was Red by Leila Sebbar, transl from the French by Mildred Mortimer (Indiana University Press) [FR/EN, originally published in 1999]

57. 2008 – The Sirens of Baghdad by Yasmina Khadra, transl from the French by John Cullen (Anchor) [FR/EN, originally published in 2006]
58. 2008 - La tentation du désert / The temptation of the desert by Hafid Gafaiti, Editions L'Harmattan [poetry collection]

59. 2009 – My Men by Malika Mokeddem, transl from the French by Laura Rice (University of Nebraska Press) [FR/EN, originally published in 2005]

60. 2009 – Above All, Don’t Look Back by Maissa Bey, transl from the French by Sonja L. Djelouah (CARAF) [FR/EN, originally published in 2005]

61. 2009 – Dead Man’s Share by Yasmina Khadra, transl from the French by Aubrey Botsford (Toby Crime) [FR/EN, originally published in 2004]

62. 2009 – Donkey Heart Monkey Mind by Djaffar Chetouane (Chetouane Publishing Company), said to have first been written in English with an editor, and then written in French.
63. 2009 - An icelandic dream by Mohamed Magani, Casbah editions [originally written in EN]

64. 2010 – Hearing your story by Nabile Fares, transl from the French by Peter Thompson (University New Orleans) [FR/EN, originally published in 2008]

65. 2010 – The Silence of Mohammed by Salim Bachi, transl from the French by Christopher Moncrieff (Pushkin) [FR/EN, originally published in 2008]

66. 2010 – A Passenger from the West by Nabile Fares, transl from the French by Peter Thompson (University of Orleans Press) [FR/EN, originally published in 1971]

67. 2009 – The German Mujahid (US edition) / An Unfinished Business by Boualem Sansal (UK edition), transl by Frank Wynne (Bloomsbury). In in the USA this novel was released as The German Mujahid. [FR/EN, originally published in 2007]

68. 2010 – Sophia in the White City by Belkacem Mezghouchene (self-published), originally written in English.

69. 2010 – Selected Poems, Jean Sénac, translated by Katia Sainson and David Bergman (Sheep Meadow Press) [FR/EN]

70. 2011 – At The Cafe / The Talisman by Mohammed Dib, transl from the French by C. Dickson (CARAF eds) [FR/EN, originally published in 1955 / 1966]

71. 2011 – What the Day Owes the Night by Yasmina Khadra, transl from the French by Frank Wynne (Heinemann) [FR/EN, originally published in 2008]
72. The Eternal Trauma: Mustapha Bidouche, the unfortunate doctor of terrorists by Fethi Achouri, Justfiction Edition [originally written in English]

73. 2012 – The Art of Forgetting: A Guide for Broken-hearted Women by Ahlam Mostaghanemi, transl from the Arabic by Raph Cormack (Bloomsbury) [AR/EN, originally published in 2009]

74. 2012 – Divorce Islamic Style by Amara Lakhous, transl from the Italian by Ann Goldstein (Europa eds) [IT/EN, originally published in 2010]

75. 2012 – Poems for the Millenium is a stunning anthology that contains, among others, work by early and contemporary Algerian poets, translated from the Arabic, French, Tamasheq by Pierre Joris and Habib Tengour (University of California)

76. 2012 – Abduction by Anouar Benmalek, transl from the French by Simon Pare (Arabia Books) [FR/EN, originally published in 2009]

77. 2012 – The Attack by Yasmina Khadra, transl from the French by John Cullen (Anchor Eds) [FR/EN, originally published in 2005]

78. 2012 – Exile and Helplessness by Nabile Fares, transl from the French by Peter Thompson (Diálogos Books) [FR/EN, originally published in 1976]

79. 2012 – Exile is My Trade: A Habib Tengour reader, poems transl from the French by Pierre Joris (Commonwealth Books) [FR/EN]

80. 2012 –Land and Blood by Mouloud Feraoun, transl from the French by Patricia Geesey (CARAF) [FR/EN, originally published in 1953]

81. 2013 – The Barbary Figs by Rashid Boudjedra, transl from the French by Andre Naffis-Sahely (Haus Publishing) [FR/EN, originally published in 2010]

82. 2013 – Crossings by Habib Tengour, transl from the French by Marilyn Hacker (Post Apollo Press) [FR/EN]

83. 2013 – The Obstinate Snail by Rachid Boudjedra, transl from the French by Leon Stephens (Xenos books) [FR/EN, originally published in 1977]

84. 2013 – The New Adventures of Sinbad The Sailor, by Salim Bachi, transl from the French by Sue Rose (Pushkin) [FR/EN, originally published in 2010]

85. 2013 – The Bridges of Constantine by Ahlem Mosteghanemi, transl from the Arabic by Raphael Cohen (Bloomsbury). First published in 2000 as Memory of the Flesh, translated from the Arabic by Baria Ahmar Sreih (Cairo Press) [AR/EN, originally published in 1993]

86. 2014 – Dispute Over a Very Italian Piglet by Amara Lakhous, transl from the Italian by Ann Goldstein (Europa eds) [FR/EN, originally published in 2013]

87. 2014 – Harraga by Boualem Sansal, transl from the French by Frank Wynne (Bloomsbury) [FR/EN, originally published in 2005]

88. 2014 – Chaos of the Senses by Ahlem Mosteghanemi, transl from the Arabic by Nancy Roberts (Bloomsbury) [AR/EN, originally published in 1997]

89. 2015 – Arabic as a Secret Song by Leïla Sebbar, transl by Skyler Artes (CARAF) [FR/EN, , originally published in 2007]

90. 2015 – Father / Son by Abdelkader Djemai, transl from the French by Peter Thompson (Dialogos eds) [FR/EN, originally published in 2005 / 2009]

91. 2015 – The Meursault Investigation by Kamel Daoud, transl from the French by John Cullen (Other Press) [FR/EN, originally published in 2013]

92. 2015 – The African Equation by Yasmina Khadra, transl from the French by Howard Curtis (Gallic Books) [FR/EN, originally published in 2011]

93. 2015 – The Dictator’s Last Night by Yasmina Khadra, transl from the French by Julian Evans (Gallic Books) [FR/EN, originally published in 2015]

90. 2015 – Pebble in the River by Noufel Bouzeboudja (African Books Collective), originally written in English.

94. 2015 —The Funerals: A Novel of the Algerian Civil War by Rachid Boudjedra, transl by André Naffis-Sahely (Haus Publishing). The paperback version was announced in 2017 but none of the versions seem to be available. [FR/EN, originally published in 2003]

95. 2016 – France, Story of a Childhood by Zahia Rahmani, transl from the French by Lara Vergnaud (Yale University Press) [FR/EN, originally published in 2008]

96. 2016 – The Angels Die by Yasmina Khadra, transl from the French by Howard Curtis (Gallic books) [FR/EN, originally published in 2013]

97. 2016 – The Dust of Promises by Ahlem Mosteghanemi, transl from the Arabic by Nancy Roberts (Bloomsbury) [AR/EN, originally published in 2003]

98. 2016 – The Butterly Kingdom by Waciny Laredj, transl from the Arabic (Katara Books). No info on translator. [AR/EN, originally published in 2013]

99. 2016 – The Prank of the Good Little Virgin of Via Ormea by Amara Lakhous, transl from the Italian by Ann Goldstein (Europa eds) [IT/EN, originally published in 2014]

100. 2016 – Confidence and Memories (poetry) by Ahcene Mariche, transl by Dalila Ait Salem (self-published) [Kabyle/EN, originally published in ?]

101. 2016(?) – The Spinning Top and the Ladder (poetry) by Ahcene Mariche, transl by Camelia Ben Mammar (Art Plume editions) [Kabyle/EN, originally published in ?]

102. 2016 – The Inner Light of Darkness by Iheb Kharab (self-published), originally written in English.

103. 2017 – Inside the Battle of Algiers: Memoir of a Woman Freedom Fighter by Zohra Drif, transl from the French by Andrew Farrand [FR/EN, originally published in 2014]

104. 2017 – Exile: Women’s Turn – Poem of East and West by Nabile Fares, transl from the French by Peter Thomspon (Dialogos eds) [FR/EN, originally published in 1986]

105. 2017 – 2084 The End of the Word by Boualem Sansal, transl from the French by Alison Anderson (Europa eds) [FR/EN, originally published in 2015]

106. 2018 – Do You Hear in the Mountains… and Other Stories by Maïssa Bey, transl from the French by Erin Lamm (CARAF) [FR/EN, originally published in 2002]

107. 2018 – Chroniques: Selected Columns, 2010-2016 by Kamel Daoud, transl Elisabeth Zerofsky [FR/EN, originally published in 2017]

108. 2019 Muslim: A Novel by Zahia Rahmani, transl from the French by Matt Reeck (Deep Vellum Publishing, March 2019) [FR/EN, originally published in 2005]

109. 2019 Albert Camus, Jean Sénac, or The Rebel Son by Hamid Nacer-Khodja, transl from the French by Kai Krienke (Michigan State University Press). The Algerian scholar Nacer-Khodja gathered letters exchanged between Camus and the poet Jean Sénac (May 2019). [FR/EN, originally published in 2010]
110. 2020. The Olive Trees’ Jazz and Other Poems, by Samira Negrouche, translated by Marilyn Hacker (Pleiades Press, February) [FR/EN, 2010]
111. 2020. Our Riches (USA title) / Bookshop in Algiers (UK title) by Kaouther Adimi, transl by Chris Andrews (New Directions, April 2020) [FR/EN, originally published in 2017]
112. 2020. Mansour's Eyes by Ryad Girod, transl by Chris Clarke (Transit Books, 23 Jun. 2020) [FR/EN, originally published in 2018]
113. 2020. The Streets of Algiers by Anna Greki, transl by Cristina Vita and Souheila Haimiche (Smokestack Books, 1 Jun 2020) [FR/EN]
114. 2021. Zabor, and the Psalms by Kamel Daoud, translated by Emma Ramadan (Others Press, 2 March 2021) [Novel, FR/EN, originally published in 2018]
115. 2021. All the Men I Want to Know by Nina Bouraoui, translated by Aneesa Abbas Higgins (Penguin, May 2021)
116. 2023. The Djinn’s Apple by Djamila Morani, translated by Sawad Hussein [Novel, AR/EN, originally published in 2015], to be released by Neem Tree Press. See excerpt in English published by World Without Borders.
117. forthcoming. The Prophetess by Rabia Djelti, Tara Press. forthcoming [Novel in prose, AR/EN, originally published in 2014].
118. forthcoming. The Disappearance of Mr. Nobody by Ahmed Taibaoui (no information on translator yet, to be published by Hoopoe Press) [AR/EN, originally published in 2020]