EXCLUSIVE – The Figaro Magazinereveals large extracts from the highly anticipated new book by the Franco-Algerian writer. A future classic that could become The Gulag Archipelago of its author.
“Boualem, pay attention to you… pay attention!” That’s all him, Jean-Paul Scarpitta, the man who operated, well known, a dear friend nonetheless, who cultivates concern and alarmism and who by religious principle, or other consideration, sees dangers everywhere, even where they have nothing to do. Without looking back, I tumbled down the stairs of the Saint-Germain-des-Près metro station. As I disappeared into the underground, he shouted in a harsh voice: “Don’t leave, Boualem…if it pleases you, stay!” This made my hackles rise. There was something prophetic, almost apocalyptic, in his voice. Throughout the journey to Gare du Nord and then from there, by RER B, to Roissy-Charles-de-Gaulle where an Air France flight to Algiers was waiting for me, I remained completely calm. “Damn, he scared the crap out of me, that idiot!”
THE DOORS OF THE PENITENTIARY…
When the cell door closed behind me, for the first time, I felt something…
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