'Never in my life! It was a fit of anger': Boualem Sansal renounces leaving France

Franco-Algerian novelist Boualem Sansal has reversed his highly publicized intention to leave France, attributing his initial announcement to a moment of "anger." This retraction, detailed in an interview with Ouest France, brings a dramatic turn to the narrative surrounding the 81-year-old author's relationship with his long-time home.

Sansal's decision to depart France had sparked considerable discussion, and his subsequent denunciation of an "immense cabale" since his move to Grasset, a publishing house now owned by far-right billionaire Vincent Bolloré, suggests a complex interplay of personal feelings and external pressures. The novelist's strong words indicate a feeling of being targeted or unfairly scrutinized following his publishing switch.

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Never in my life! It was a fit of anger.

Libération's coverage of this development focuses on Sansal's personal reflections and his perception of a concerted effort against him. The novelist's choice to remain in France, despite his earlier pronouncements, suggests a recalibration of his stance, possibly influenced by the backlash or a desire to address the perceived "campaign" directly from within the country. His statement frames the initial decision not as a definitive departure, but as a reaction to circumstances he found particularly galling at the time.

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immense cabale