The Sacred Night

About the Category

Country of Origin

The Sacred Night by Tahar Ben Jelloun sits within the tradition of literary fiction that treats language as seriously as plot. Published in 1987 in Morocco, it engages with identity, freedom, gender norms, society in ways that have earned it lasting critical attention. The book's place in the literary record rests on its presence across major prize lists and critical surveys. Among its recognitions: Prix Goncourt 1987. Its aggregate editorial score of 30/100 reflects recognition from 1 independent editorial sources, from international prizes to specialist critical journals. What distinguishes The Sacred Night is how it handles its central concerns — identity, freedom, gender norms, society — without reducing them to neat conclusions. The book invites close reading and holds up well to it. Tahar Ben Jelloun's role in the literature of Morocco is well established. The Sacred Night can be read as both a standalone achievement and as part of a broader national literary conversation about identity, history, and the possibilities of narrative form.

About this assessment: Editorial scores are aggregated from 1 independent sources including major literary prizes, critical surveys, and leading publications. Our editorial team reviews and contextualises this data. Rankings reflect critical consensus, not personal opinion or popularity metrics. Learn about our methodology.