Boualem Sansal releases ‘La Légende’ regarding Algerian imprisonment

Writer Boualem Sansal has released a new book, ‘La Légende’, which recounts his eleven-month imprisonment in Algeria. The author was detained between November 2024 and November 2025 on charges of threatening state security following comments regarding historical borders.

Beyond the account of his detention, the book addresses Sansal’s perceived lack of support from various institutions. He critiques the perceived inadequacy of French diplomats, the silence of certain intellectuals, and the failure of friends and media outlets to support him during his incarceration. The publication also marks a significant professional shift, as Sansal moved from his long-time publisher, Gallimard, to Grasset.

Despite heavy media promotion and an initial print run of 150,000 copies, the book has faced commercial challenges. Reports indicate that approximately 48,000 copies have been sold to date, suggesting the work has not met the high sales expectations initially projected by its publishers.