BY: Hana Saada
ALGIERS, August 29, 2023– In a courageous and eye-opening exposé, the pages of The New York Times have turned their focus to Mathieu Belezi, the French novelist unearthing the gruesome realities of France’s colonization of Algeria in the 19th century. Born Gérard-Martial Princeau, Belezi’s latest work, “Attacking the Earth and the Sun,” has propelled him into the spotlight, shedding light on a brutal history that has long been concealed.
Through the lens of Belezi’s poignant prose, The New York Times unflinchingly delves into the dark corners of history, recounting the French atrocities committed during their colonization of Algeria. For over 15 years, Belezi anonymously chronicled the unforgiving realities of this violent past, a mission driven by an unwavering commitment to confront uncomfortable truths.
The resounding success of “Attacking the Earth and the Sun,” which has sold nearly 90,000 copies and earned prestigious accolades, marks a significant shift in the narrative. Belezi, now 69 years old, reflects on the earlier years of his career when his works garnered only a fraction of the attention they deserved. He attributes this to a collective unease in confronting the historical wounds that challenge France’s self-perception as a guardian of human rights.
Yet, times have evolved, and Belezi’s unyielding dedication to historical veracity has struck a chord with a broader audience. The French novelist courageously navigates the terrain of the Algerian War, a chapter characterized by 132 years of French colonial rule culminating in a bloody battle for independence that left enduring scars on both nations.
In an unapologetic tone, Belezi elucidates the painful truths that many have long shied away from acknowledging. “We embarked on a mission to civilize those we deemed ‘barbarians,’ yet we found ourselves engulfed in barbarism more profound than theirs,” he laments. The novelist resolutely dissects the history of land usurpation and mosque destruction, sparing no detail in depicting the horrors that transpired.
The pages of Belezi’s book turn even more chilling when they recount the relentless savagery of French soldiers, armed with bayonets, as they mercilessly quelled resistance. The Times brings to light passages describing the soldiers lifting resisting villagers off the ground, impaling them as if they were poultry. This macabre imagery is juxtaposed against a backdrop of house plundering, the violation of women, and the abandonment of survivors in the cold outskirts of their obliterated villages.
The New York Times poignantly captures Belezi’s journey as a lone writer daring to confront the uncomfortable truths of France’s dark history in Algeria. Despite the success of his latest work, the novelist’s path has been far from smooth. Belezi has been notably absent from French television screens, often excluded from mainstream literary discussions. His unapologetic approach to history has invoked trepidation, leading to his exclusion from platforms that fear the weight of his revelations.
Belezi’s journey, as recounted by The New York Times, reflects a universal struggle to confront the ghosts of history. In his pursuit to ask the questions society fears, he exemplifies the power of literature to force introspection and reckon with the shadows that linger in even the most illustrious histories. As readers turn the pages of his books, they are reminded that true progress requires confronting the past, no matter how chilling its revelations may be.
