Boualem Sansal

Algerian-French novelist and essayist · age 81

Boualem Sansal photo
Age
81
Born
October 15, 1944
Zodiac
Libra
Generation
Silent generation
From
Theniet El Had, Algeria
Nationality
Algerian (also French since 2024)

the story

Boualem Sansal is an Algerian-French novelist and essayist known for unflinching political fiction such as 'Le Village de l'Allemand' and the dystopia '2084: La fin du monde'. A recipient of the Peace Prize of the German Book Trade and the Grand Prix du roman de l'Academie francaise, he was imprisoned in Algeria for nearly a year on national-security charges before a presidential pardon in November 2025. In 2026 he returned to the spotlight with 'La Legende', a combative account of his detention.

known for

Occupation
Novelist and essayist

education

  • National Polytechnic School, Algiers; PhD in economics