Variations de Mohamed Dib sur le thème du retour

The return of the maquisard (member of the Resistance) is a well-known theme of post-war Algerian literature. Dib takes it up, varying the approaches but always with as much empathy for his characters as lucidity with regard to those who exploit the heroic vein unduly. The return is difficult, even impossible. It takes place in the memory as much as in space and only iterative and metaphorical writing, combining realism and fantasy, can explore its resonances and complexities.