Summary
In 1860, in Kabylia, an unexpected encounter changes the course of two destinies. Joséphine, an Alsatian schoolteacher, crosses paths with Areski, a Kabyle assistant as learned as he is reserved. Everything sets them apart—origin, language, culture—yet their stories will intertwine far beyond themselves. Their union will give rise to mixed generations, tossed between two shores, two cultures, two memories, from colonization to the troubles of Islamism, through the First World War and Algerian independence. A polyphonic work blending archives, poetry, letters, and testimonies, Roots in the Ashes brings to life a forgotten chapter of the Franco-Kabyle relationship. In the shadow of an olive tree rooted in history, the text questions colonialism, identity, and transmission through voices as diverse as Kabyle, Alsatian, Jewish, atheist, or immigrant.
Style and form
A theatrical novel and documented fiction, the text progresses through dialogue and scenes. Kamil Vicente’s writing is vivid, embodied, and fluid without being simplistic. Emotion arises from situations and simple words, without heavy-handed discourse. The narrative is enriched with multimedia elements: watercolor sketchbooks, press articles, letters, and text messages. It is read as one would attend a play: the voices resonate long after the final page.
Target audience
Any adult audience curious about history, memory, and powerful human stories. It will speak to readers sensitive to questions of colonization and identity, to lovers of theater and dialogued texts, as well as to teachers and students. Accessible with no historical prerequisites.
The authors
Kamil Vicente is the pseudonym of two artists: Vincent Mangado, actor and screenwriter, member of the Théâtre du Soleil, and Camille Fougereau, cook, dancer, and illustrator. Their nomadic life, following the traces of memories and flavors, nourishes their shared passion for epic and intimate stories.
Excerpt
Areski — Before General Bugeaud, there were the Romans, the Vandals, the Visigoths, and, of course, the Arabs. They had all already burned our houses and torn up our olive trees, but each time, we rebuilt and replanted. Joséphine — Monsieur Matoub, how can you teach such monstrosities to children? Areski — I am teaching them the History of our civilization, Madame Schwartz.
Authors: Kamil Vicente (pseudonym of Camille Fougereau & Vincent Mangado)
Genre: Theatrical Novel / Documented Fiction
Publisher: Les Trois Colonnes
Pages: 208 p. — Format 15 x 21 cm
ISBN: 979-10-406-1959-8
Price: €24.00 (print) / €11.99 (digital)
Period covered: 1860 – near future